COVID-19 Information and Updates

The Durham Region Health Department created a COVID-19 Data Tracker to present up-to-date information about COVID-19 cases in Durham Region. It shows the number of confirmed cases by status, age and gender, municipality, time, exposure source and health neighbourhood.

View the Region of Durham's COVID-19 Data Tracker to see how many COVID-19 cases are in Clarington. In the table where it lists the cases by municipality, click on "Clarington" to see filtered results about cases in our community. 

Ontario Small Business Support Grant

Businesses may be eligible to recover costs for personal protective equipment (PPE) or access rebates to help with fixed costs, such as property tax and energy bills. In January 2021, applications will open for the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant, where businesses may be eligible for up to $20,000.

For more information on available funding, visit Ontario's 'Get help with COVID-19 costs' web page and apply for a grant.

Learn more or apply for a grant.

Invest Durham

Local businesses can visit www.investdurham.ca/CovidResponse for the latest resources and information regarding government programs, services and supports. The website will be updated daily with current information on available business supports, federal and provincial financial programs, how to access funds, and employee/employer resources.

Durham Health launches online toolkit with information and resources for businesses reopening

Durham Region Health Department launched an online toolkit with information and resources for businesses and services that are slowly reopening. The Community Reopening Toolkit is available at durham.ca/reopeningtoolkit.

For more information, read the announcement.

Start your summer with Clarington’s recreation programs and take a dip in the Orono pool

Start your summer with Clarington’s recreation programs. Summer registration begins on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 7 a.m. for various popular programs, including camps, swimming lessons, first aid leadership programs, aquafit, outdoor fitness, and more. The Orono outdoor pool will open for the weekend of June 19 and 20.

Here are some key dates to circle on your calendars:

• Outside fitness programs will start on June 14.
• Day camps will start on July 5. We are excited to offer modified in-person and virtual summer day camps for Clarington children four to 12 years old. Our camps are planned with limited capacity to ensure safety and will be held outdoors as much as possible. We are also providing virtual summer day camps in partnership with Kids Great Minds for children seven to 14 years old.
• Aquafit will start on July 26, and swimming lessons will begin in August once Clarington moves into Step Three of the Province’s three-step Roadmap to Reopen.
• Outdoor adult programs, including 55+ fitness programs, will begin on June 14, and Older Adult Social Circles on June 21.

The Orono outdoor pool will be open for the June 19 weekend only. The pool will then close briefly and reopen for public use on June 26 for the rest of the summer. Bookings will start each Wednesday for the following week. The pool will reopen seven days a week, with pre-registered one-hour swim sessions. A maximum of 20 swimmers will be allowed at each session.

We have robust COVID-19 safety measures in place. Swim session start times will be staggered to allow staff to clean and disinfect between users. The pool will be open Monday to Friday from noon to 7:15 p.m., while on Saturdays and Sundays, the hours will be noon to 4:45 p.m.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Regular admission fees will apply. Payments can be made on-site using cash only. For those wishing to pay in advance, please do so during the phone pre-registration using a credit card (905-987-5667 ext. 2552).
• Swim sessions are on a pay-as-you-go basis; aquatic memberships, including our 10-ticket passes, will not be reactivated at this time.
• Users must pre-register and reserve a swim session. Each swim session will be available for booking one week in advance.
• Pre-register online at www.clarington.net/BeActive or by phone at 905-987-5667 ext. 2552. Phone registration is open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
• Please arrive 10 minutes ahead of your scheduled swim time and line up in designated spots outside the pool enclosure.
• All users will have to undergo a screening process before being admitted.
• Physical distancing is mandatory in addition to all other swimming rules.
• We ask that swimmers arrive in their swimsuits. Public washrooms and change rooms will be open but limited to a few people at a time to allow for physical distancing.

Read the full press release.

Clarington COVID-19 Assessment Centre moving to Courtice Community Complex

Starting June 3, 2021, the Clarington COVID-19 Assessment Centre, currently located inside Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex, will be relocated to 2950 Courtice Road at the Courtice Community Complex. If you have a COVID-19 test booked on or after June 3, please visit the Courtice Community Complex (2950 Courtice Road) for your COVID-19 test.

Currently, Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex is also being used as a COVID-19 vaccination clinic. Relocating the Assessment Centre will allow enough room to vaccine up to 1,000 people.

To book an appointment for a COVID-19 test, please visit covidswab.lh.ca.

Durham Health Department to begin rebooking second dose appointments for individuals 80+

Durham Region Health Department will begin rescheduling second dose appointments for individuals 80 and older on May 31 at 8 a.m. Existing scheduled appointments will be moved forward based on vaccine availability starting with dates around June 11. This change follows the provincial announcement on May 28 to accelerate second dose appointments for this eligibility group.

Due to current limited supply of Moderna vaccine and no provincial confirmation of next shipment, the Health Department may be unable to support early second doses for individuals who received Moderna. Please continue to check www.durham.ca/covidvaccines for updates.

To rebook second dose appointments, Durham Region residents must contact the call centre at 1-888-444-5113. Online booking for second dose appointments is currently not available as the online booking system is presently for first dose appointments only. The Health Department is working on updating the online booking system to be able to book both first and second dose appointments. More information will be announced as soon as possible.

It is highly recommended that individuals do not cancel their current second dose appointments until they have contacted the call centre to request a new appointment. Once your new second dose appointment is confirmed, call centre staff will assist with cancelling your original appointment.

It is also important to note that there is no requirement for individuals to cancel their original second dose appointment, especially if their current appointment is coming soon. Although the Health Department is working to accommodate rescheduling second dose appointments, first dose appointments are also being booked at the same time. Due to a limited number of appointment spaces, rebooking to receive an earlier second dose appointment may not be possible.

Individuals who will be rebooking second dose at the Ontario Tech Ice Campus clinic site will receive an email from Lakeridge Health outlining the process for rebooking. Appointment availability is also dependent on vaccine supply.

In addition to the earlier second dose eligibility, the province has also provided an update regarding recommended dose intervals for individuals who are on certain medications. Individuals who are taking anti-CD20 agents (e.g., rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab) are eligible for their second dose as outlined in the manufacturers’ recommendations. These individuals would receive their second dose of Pfizer vaccine 21 days after the first dose, and 28 days following their first dose for Moderna vaccine. For more information and updates on COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Durham Region, visit www.durham.ca/covidvaccines.

Read more on Durham Region website.

Durham Region Health Department expands vaccine eligibility to youth aged 12+

Durham Region Health Department is expanding vaccine eligibility to individuals 12 years and older. Bookings for this eligibility group will be available starting May 25 at 9 p.m. To book appointments, visit www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment or call 1-888-444-5113. Identification with date of birth is required. Individuals must be 12 years or older at the time of appointment.

On May 13, the Ontario government originally announced that bookings would open for youth 12 to 17-years old for Pfizer vaccine beginning on May 31. Additionally, adult family members who also needed a first dose would be able to get vaccinated at the same time. However, on May 21, the province unexpectedly announced that this group was being moved up to May 23 at 8 a.m. As Pfizer vaccine is the only approved vaccine for the 12 to 17-year old population and the Health Department has not received any additional supply to accommodate this unexpected change, a review of current Pfizer vaccine supply was necessary to open appointments for the 12 to 17-year old population sooner than was originally planned.

Appointments will now be available starting on May 31 at Ajax, Pickering, Clarington and Oshawa mass immunization clinics. For north Durham, which currently offers Moderna vaccine, clinic dates have been added offering Pfizer vaccine for individuals 12-plus beginning on June 8 starting in Brock, then rotating to Scugog and Uxbridge. As the current Whitby mass immunization clinic only offers Moderna, a new clinic site will be introduced in Whitby that will allow individuals 12-plus to access Pfizer. Bookings for this new Whitby location will be available beginning May 27 at 9 p.m. for appointments that will start on June 7. To book appointments visit www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment or call 1-888-444-5113. The location of the new Whitby clinic site will be announced as soon as possible. For updates, please check www.durham.ca/covidvaccines. It is important to note that eligibility for vaccine does not mean that vaccine appointments will be available immediately.

Residents are reminded that once appointment bookings open, the website will experience a significant increase in traffic resulting in considerable wait-times when trying to book appointments. Residents are asked to please be patient as they keep trying to access the site.

Individuals should book only one appointment per person. If you already have an appointment and choose to book for another time or at a different clinic location, please remember to cancel the first appointment to avoid duplication and to ensure appointments are available for everyone.

The province also recently announced that both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be available at participating pharmacies throughout Durham Region. For a listing of area pharmacies participating in this program visit https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.

Visit the Region of Durham website for all the details.

Durham Region expands vaccine eligibility to residents 18+

Today, the province also announced that eligibility has been expanded to all residents 18 and older, or individuals who will be turning 18 this year. These individuals are now eligible to receive vaccine at any Durham Region community mass immunization clinic. Individuals who are 17-years old and will be turning 18 in 2021 will also be eligible to book their COVID-19 vaccination appointment for Pfizer vaccine only. Moderna vaccine is only administered to individuals who are 18 years and older. The Health Department’s booking system will note the appropriate clinic for booking based on age. Appointments for this new eligibility group will be available starting at 9 p.m. on May 17. To book appointments visit www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment or call 1-888-444-5113. It is important to note that eligibility for vaccine does not mean that vaccine appointments will be available immediately.

Read the full press release on the Region of Durham website.

Province expands COVID-19 vaccine booking to people 18+ ahead of schedule

As the pace of Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues to accelerate with 2.2 million doses scheduled to arrive this week, the government is extending booking eligibility at mass immunization clinics to individuals aged 18 and over. This high number of doses is due to an early delivery of the week of May 24 shipment, to accommodate the long weekend, and is an opportunity for the province to offer an appointment to receive the vaccine to more Ontarians ahead of schedule.

As of 8 a.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, individuals aged 18 and over in 2021 across Ontario will be eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment through the provincial booking system and call centre, or directly through public health units that use their own booking system. On May 3, 2021, the government expanded booking eligibility to those 18 and over in 2021 and who live in one of the 114 hot spot communities.

Individuals who are 17 years old and are turning 18 in 2021 will also be eligible to book their COVID-19 vaccination appointment only for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized by Health Canada for use in youth aged 12 and over. The provincial booking system will note which clinics are not offering vaccines for those who are 17 years old.

In addition, the province continues to work with public health units, First Nations, Inuit and MĂ©tis communities and boards of education to ensure youth in Ontario between 12 and 17 years of age will be eligible to book an appointment through the provincial booking system beginning the week of May 31, 2021, to receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. We are also working to encourage eligible family members who have not received a vaccine to attend these clinics to get youth and their families vaccinated as quickly as possible. As of Tuesday, May 18, 2021, public health units may choose to provide vaccines to those aged 12 and over in pop-up and mobile clinics, as well as for walk-in appointments where the Pfizer vaccine is offered. This will include First Nations, Inuit and MĂ©tis clinics that offer the Pfizer vaccine. There will also be dedicated clinic times for youth during the weeks of June 14 and 21, 2021.

Read the entire press release on the Provincial website.

COVID-19 vaccination appointments continue during the stay-at-home order

Durham Region is asking residents to continue to check the vaccine appointment booking websites daily. Residents who need assistance booking their appointment can call 1-888-444-5113.

• Visit durham.ca/COVIDVaccines for more information.

Ontario extends stay-at-home order and outlines plans to make Pfizer vaccine available to youth aged 12 to 17

The Province of Ontario has announced an extension of the provincewide stay-at-home order for an additional two weeks. Restrictions will remain in effect until at least June 2.

During the extended stay-at-home order, Ontario will prepare to administer the Pfizer vaccine to youth between the ages of 12 and 17, beginning the week May 31, 2021. The province will also finalize plans to gradually and safely re-open the province.

• Read the press release on the Government of Ontario's website.

COVID-19 vaccination appointments continue during the stay-at-home order

Durham Region is asking residents to continue to check the vaccine appointment booking websites daily. Residents who need assistance booking their appointment can call 1-888-444-5113.

• Visit durham.ca/COVIDVaccines for more information.

Eligibility for residents 40+ and At-Risk health conditions to be included on May 10

As outlined by the province, Durham Region Health Department is expanding eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine to include essential workers who cannot work from home – Group 2, effective May 7. Area residents who are part of this eligibility group are now able to book appointments at any community mass immunization clinic located in all Durham Region municipalities. To book appointments visit www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment or call 1-888-444-5113.

In addition to the essential workers - Group 2, eligibility will also be expanded to individuals 40 and older, or who will be turning 40 in 2021, as well as to people in the At-Risk health conditions group starting on May 10. Appointments will be available for booking for these two groups at any area mass immunization clinic after 9 p.m. on May 10. To book appointments for all eligibility groups visit www.durham.ca/vaccineappointment or call 1-888-444-5113.

It is important for residents to understand that once appointment bookings open, the website will experience a significant increase in traffic resulting in considerable wait-times when trying to book appointments. Residents are asked to please be patient as they keep trying to access the site.

Individuals should book only one appointment per person. If you already have an appointment and choose to book for another time or at a different clinic location, please remember to cancel the first appointment to avoid duplication, helping to ensure appointments are available for everyone.

Area residents should recognize that as eligibility continues to expand to other age groups and identified categories, demand for vaccine will also increase. It is important to note that eligibility for vaccine does not mean that vaccine appointments will be available immediately.

In addition to area mass immunization clinics, working with community partners the Health Department has developed a strategy to ensure that as many residents as possible are able to have access to COVID-19 vaccines in communities and settings where they live. This includes hot spot pop-up clinics and hot spot mobile clinics for residents living in hot spot postal code areas identified by the province, clinics for individuals living in certain congregate settings, workplace vaccination clinics, and a mobile immunization program for eligible homebound individuals. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan in Durham Region, visit www.durham.ca/covidvaccines.

Area residents 40 and older, or who will be turning 40 this year, are also eligible to book appointments through participating pharmacies to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine. For information on participating Durham Region pharmacies see https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations. The AstraZeneca vaccine pharmacy program is overseen by the province.

Read the full press release on the Region of Durham's website.

Junior Firefighter Camp cancelled for 2021

Due to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and to protect the health and safety of our community, the Municipality of Clarington has made the difficult decision to cancel its Junior Firefighter Camp for 2021.

Province announces residents 50+ eligible for vaccines

The province has announced expanded eligibility for residents 50 and older, or those who will be turning 50 this year, and essential workers who cannot work from home – Group 1. Individuals in these groups are eligible to book appointments at any community mass immunization clinic in Durham Region. For information on clinic locations and additional eligibility requirements visit www.durham.ca/covidvaccines. Residents are asked to book only one appointment per person. Also, if you already have an appointment and choose to book for another time or at a different clinic location, please remember to cancel the first appointment to avoid duplication, helping to ensure appointments are available for everyone.

Area residents 40 and older, or who will be turning 40 this year, are also eligible to book appointments through participating pharmacies to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine. For information on participating Durham Region pharmacies see https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations. The AstraZeneca vaccine pharmacy program is overseen by the province.

Area residents should understand that as eligibility continues to expand to other age groups, demand for vaccine will also increase. It is important to note that eligibility for vaccine does not mean that vaccine appointments will be available immediately. The Health Department notes that appointments for mass immunization clinics and all hot spot pop-up clinics, as well as the provision of mobile clinics, are based on vaccine availability. Once vaccines spots have been fully booked, appointments are no longer available. As additional vaccine is confirmed, more spots will be added.

Read the full press release on the Region of Durham's website.

The Municipal Administrative Centre is open to the public by appointment only.

Please visit www.clarington.net/BookAMeeting to book your appointment. We encourage residents to continue to access our services by phone, online or by booking an appointment to conduct your business in person.

• Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex is open as a COVID-19 assessment centre. Testing is by appointment only, through the online form. When individuals complete the online COVID-19 Assessment Form (covidswab.lh.ca), they will receive an instant response with the date and time of their appointment.
• Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex is also open as a COVID-19 vaccine clinic. Book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment online at www.durham.ca/Vaccineappointment or by calling 1-888-444-5113.

• Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Closed from noon to 1 p.m.)
• Last two Saturdays of the Month (except holiday weekends) 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed from noon to 1 p.m.)

Only one person will be allowed in the building at their scheduled appointment time to purchase parking permits, pay parking tickets, or submit licensing applications.

We ask residents with general inquires, complaint submissions, or requests for first attendances to call 905-623-3379 ext. 2105 instead of visiting the Municipal Law Enforcement Office as many services can be provided over the phone or online.

The Clarington Animal Shelter is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to purchase animal licences, drop off adoption applications, and drop off stray/unwanted animals.

Visit the Animal Services page to learn more.

All municipal leash-free dog parks in Clarington are open. Residents must continue to maintain a two-metre distance at all times. We recommend bringing hand sanitizer and wearing a non-medical mask or face covering.

Waterfront and beaches are open for exercise only. No gathering or picnics allowed.

The following outdoor amenities are open as of May 22, 2021:

• Basketball, tennis and pickleball courts
• Baseball diamonds
• Sports fields
• Skateboard parks
• Boat launches

Read our press release to learn more.

Clarington's splash pads are now open, except for Baxter Park, Bowmanville Memorial Park and Pearce Farm Park, which are under repair.

Please maintain a distance of two metres from anyone outside of your household and remember to take your own hand sanitizer. Please sanitize your child's hands before and after they use the push button to get the water started.

• View all splash pad locations

Clarington's playgrounds are open, except for those under construction. The Municipality will not be sanitizing the equipment, and residents should bring their own hand sanitizer. It is the parent's or guardian's responsibility to ensure children practise good hand hygiene and use hand sanitizer before and after touching the equipment. Parents and guardians are also responsible for supervising their small children and ensuring physical distancing. While at this time, there is no limit on how many children can play on the equipment at one time, we encourage residents to use good judgment. If the playground is busy, wait until there are fewer children present or take turns. If possible, children should wear a mask.

The following municipal buildings and facilities are closed to the public:

• Alan Strike Aquatic and Squash Centre
• Courtice Community Complex
• Diane Hamre Recreation Complex
• Darlington Sports Centre
• Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex
• South Courtice Arena, including artificial turf field
• Bowmanville Indoor Soccer/Lacrosse Bowl
• Visitor’s Centre
• Hampton Operations Centre
• All Fire Stations
• Clarington Museums

• Bowmanville Older Adult Association - Open with limited access.
• Brownsdale Community Centre - Closed until further notice.
• Hampton Community Centre - Open with restrictions.
• Haydon Community Centre - Closed until further notice.
• Kendal Community Centre - All hall booking postponed until further notice. Post office is still currently open.
• Memorial Park Clubhouse - Closed until further notice.
• Newcastle Community Hall - Open with restrictions.
• Newcastle Memorial Arena - Open with restrictions.
• Newtonville Community Centre - Closed until further notice.
• Orono Arena - Open with restrictions.
• Orono Town Hall - Open with restrictions.
• Solina Community Closed until further notice.
• Tyrone Community Centre - Closed until further notice.
• Visual Arts Centre - Open with restrictions.

Spring programs and camps are cancelled.

Residents can pay parking tickets in any of the following ways:

• Online at www.clarington.net/PayTickets
• By cheque, payable to the Municipality of Clarington
  • Please mail cheques to 2611 Trulls Road, Courtice, ON L1E 2N3 or drop it off in the drop box at the Municipal Administrative Centre (40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville) at the north entrance.

To dispute a parking ticket, please call the Municipal Law Enforcement Office at 905-623-3379 ext. 2105 to arrange an appointment. Appointments will be conducted over the phone at the arranged time.

• Property tax payments may be made at most banks or financial institutions including online and telephone banking.
• By cheque, payable to the Municipality of Clarington (please include your ROLL number on the cheque)
  • Please mail your cheque to 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville ON L1C 3A6 or drop it off in the drop box at the Municipal Administrative Centre (40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville) at the north entrance.
• Call 905-623-3379 ext. 2650 to speak with staff in the Tax Department.

• Call 905-623-3379 ext. 2105 to speak to a member of the Municipal By-Law Enforcement Team.
• Report by-law enforcement issues using our Report a Problem form.

The Municipality of Clarington continues to receive, process and issue building permits. Building inspections are also proceeding.

Permit applications can be submitted in any of the following ways:

• By email to BuildingPermits@clarington.net
• By mail or courier to 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville ON L1C 3A6
• In person, by appointment only. 

To help stop the spread of COVID-19, residents can continue to access our services by phone, online or by booking an appointment. If necessary, the Municipality will make special arrangements to conduct a building inspection virtually.

You can fill out your building permit application online on our website. To help facilitate your application, view our list of requirements for building permits.

If you have questions, please call 905-623-3379 ext. 2312 or email BuildingPermits@clarington.net.

• General inquiries from residents, real estate agents and developers will continue to be answered by phone and email.
• To book an in-person appointment, visit www.clarington.net/BookAMeeting. 
• Submissions of revisions to existing development applications and plans will be accepted by email, file share and courier. Payments can be made by electronic means or certified cheque.
• New planning applications will be received and processed.
• Business can apply for temporary sign permits by applying online.
• Community Improvement Grants can be submitted online.
• Residents can continue to provide feedback on secondary plans by phone or email.

• Effectively immediately, resumes should only be emailed to resumes@clarington.net or dropped off in the mail slot at the Municipal Administrative Centre (40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville) at the north entrance.
• Until further notice, there will be no in-person interviews.
• Updates will be posted as needed regarding the recruitment and selection process.

Council and Committee meetings will continue as scheduled. Following physical distancing guidelines established during the COVID-19 pandemic, all meetings will proceed in an electronic format allowing Members of Council to stay home. Residents can watch the meeting online at www.clarington.net/calendar.

Delegations will also proceed remotely (either electronically or by phone). To appear as a delegation to address Council on an issue, please contact the Clerk’s Division at 905-623-3379 ext. 2109 or clerks@clarington.net. The deadline to notify us that you want to make a delegation is 4:15 p.m., one business day before the scheduled meeting. Delegates will receive information and instructions on how to access the meeting electronically.