Our safety, our services, our people

Since the arrival of COVID-19 in March, residents have done an incredible job of following public health guidelines.

Because of you, Ottawa has flattened the curve and slowed the spread of the virus. This means the City of Ottawa can cautiously reopen and resume some programs and services.

Safety in our services is our top priority.

Ottawa’s reopening plan is based on guidance from Ottawa Public Health and aligns with the Province of Ontario’s plan to gradually relax its emergency orders. To avoid a second wave of COVID-19, the City may put in place additional public health measures or adjust the reopening plan to reduce the spread of the virus.

Residents will have to continue to follow public health guidelines:

Stay at home when sick

Practice physical distancing

Wear cloth masks in enclosed public spaces and when physical distancing is not possible

Practice good hand hygiene and avoid touching your face.

Reopening safely

To safeguard public health, the City will focus on:

Facility retrofits to facilitate physical distancing and safe workplace conditions for City employees

Staffing and service delivery changes to limit crowd sizes, and promote online services for residents

Providing City employees with appropriate personal protective and preventative measures

Health screening of employees and the public

Frequent and thorough cleaning all City facilities

Communicating updates to employees and residents as the situation evolves

Requiring residents to wear masks while in enclosed public spaces at City of Ottawa facilities and when using public transit

Phased reopening

As health and safety measures may be adjusted at any point, timelines may be subject to change.

View the City of Ottawa's reopening plan handout.