COVID-19
New measures just announced by the province include:
Require all businesses and organizations to comply with the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams, including screening people who wish to enter their premises for COVID-19 symptoms.
Click here to view the Covid Screening Questions
Face Coverings Required
Please be advised as of Thursday, August 6, 2020, face coverings will be required in all City of Woodstock enclosed public spaces. This includes but not limited to all indoor public spaces, bus shelters and pubic transit.
*Subject to exemptions. Click here to find out about face covering exemptions
Please review the attached information issued by Southwestern Public Health regarding:
FAQ About Face Coverings
| Where can I find more info about Southwestern Public Health mandating face coverings in enclosed public spaces? |
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Visit https://www.swpublichealth.ca/facecoverings
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| Who do I call to report a non-compliant business regarding mandated face coverings? |
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To report a non-compliant business regarding mandated face coverings, please contact:
Southwestern Public Health 1-800-922-0096 ext.9
City of Woodstock By-law 519-539-2382 ext.3160 |
Daily Updates
| Wednesday, November 18 - EnviroDepot and Recycle Depot Update |
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Recycling Depot Drop-Off – Winter Hours (December 1 – March 31) – No Appointment Required This winter fibres (paper) and containers will be accepted at the recycling depot drop-off area located within the Enviro Depot at 944 James Street for the following hours: Wednesday-Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm Closed on Holidays
Enviro Depot Drop-Off – Winter Hours (December 1 – March 31) – No Appointment Required Materials accepted at the Enviro Depot (e.g. large item, electronic waste, household hazardous waste etc.) will also have revised winter hours as follows: Saturday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm Closed on Holidays |
| Thursday, October 29 - Transit Update |
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TEMPORARY ROUTE CHANGE TO SOUTHWEST #6 TWO BUS STOP RELOCATIONS - Due to route change, two stops are discontinued and relocated: 1. Norwich Avenue at Parkinson Road (North Side) 2. Pavey Street - Opposite #742 |
| Thursday, October 15 - EnviroDepot Update |
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Reservations are no longer required on Wednesdays through Fridays. Reservations are required for Saturday appointments. Please call 519-539-2382 extension 3104 or 3102 before 4:15 p.m. Friday. Appointments must be confirmed by staff if a message is left to be validated. Drop off Restriction: Household hazardous waste (e.g. batteries, paint, etc.) can only be drop-off on Saturdays. |
| Thursday, October 8 - Transit Update |
| Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, paratransit inactive recreational subscription rides are being temporarily cancelled. For further information call 519-539-2382 ext. 2510 |
| Friday, October 2 - EnviroDepot Update |
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Unfortunately due to Covid-19 social distancing restrictions and sanitation issues, EnviroDepot Staff are unable to help with unloading of waste. If you have an accessibility restriction or disability and need assistance unloading your waste, we kindly ask to please bring additional help with you at this time to help unload your materials. |
| Stage 3 Gradual Reopening of Services - Parks, Recreation & Culture |
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• Arenas |
| Wednesday, August 12 - Curbside Recycling |
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Garbage and recycling will continue to be picked up as scheduled. Residents can use the Wasteline App to confirm their pickup schedule and/or visit the Garbage and Recycling Web Page for more information. If you or a member of your household is sick or has been sick, please be sure to place any items that may have come into contact with your mouth, nose or eyes into a sealed garbage bag; including used face masks and coverings.This applies to all items that would normally be recycled such as water bottles, pop cans, juice cartons, etc. Also, soiled tissues and paper towels are to be placed in a garbage bag and not into the recycling container. |
| Friday, August 7 - Transit Update |
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Effective Thursday August 13th, 2020 Woodstock Transit will return to front door boarding and fare collection on Conventional and Specialized Transit buses. In preparation, please reload your electronic bus cards at least 48 hours prior to this date or have exact change as fare. We regret there will be no refunds on any partially used expired monthly bus passes purchased in March/April of 2020. As fair and reasonable compensation, Woodstock Transit has provided free bus service to all riders for the past four months.
Passengers are reminded that masks are now mandatory on all Public Transit vehicles , unless you are exempt. |
| Tuesday, August 4 - Woodstock Art Gallery Reopening |
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The Woodstock Art Gallery will open to the public Tuesday, August 11, 2020. The City of Woodstock has announced the facility will reopen on August 11, following the direction of the Province of Ontario and public health officials. The Gallery will begin its first stage of reopening with reduced hours Tuesday to Friday from 12 p.m. to 4p.m. There will also be a special hour for seniors and patrons at risk, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Public access will be limited to 30 people in the building at any given time and visitors will be required to complete a health screening upon entry. Masks or face coverings are also required in the Gallery according to the mandate from Southwestern Public Health. Additional health and safety measure have been put in place to protect staff and visitors including a glass barrier at the front reception desk, signage and stickers to promote physical distancing, touchless automatic doors, sanitizing stations and enhanced levels of cleaning. Current exhibitions have been extended until the fall. There will be a moratorium on gallery openings, tours and special events until further notice. This includes the cancellation of the annual Taste of Art fundraiser and the 2020/2021 See You at the Movies film season. More information about the Woodstock Art Gallery’s reopening plan can be found at www.woodstockartgallery.ca. |
| Wednesday, July 29 - Recreation Facilities Re-open |
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Cowan Park Sportsplex and Southside Aquatic Centre open Wednesday, July 29. The Spray and Play Wading Pool will open Thursday, July 30.
Cowan Park Sportsplex is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am until 4:00pm. The walking track is open, and Turf rentals are available, please call 519-539-2382 x2743 for more information, or visit www.cityofwoodstock.ca/sportsplex.
Southside Aquatic Centre is open for Aquafit, Lane Swim, Family Swim, and some lessons. For details, please visit www.cityofwoodstock.ca/aquatics.
The Spray and Play wading pool is open Thursday, July 30 from 11:00am until 4:00pm. Restrictions are in place to keep participants safe. Booking in advance is required. For details, please visit https://www.cityofwoodstock.ca/en/live-and-play/wading-pool-and-splash-pads.aspx.
Please book in advance if you wish to participate in programs/activities at Southside Aquatic Centre, Lion's Pool, and the Spray and Play Wading Pool. To book in advance please call 519-539-2382 x 2701 (SAC) or x 2720 (Lion's). You can also book online by visiting www.cityofwoodstock.ca/onlineregistration.
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| Monday, July 27 - EnviroDepot Update |
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Beginning on Wednesday, July 29 the EnviroDepot located at 944 James St. will be open to the public without a reservation. The Depot will operate Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Safety protocols will be in place so please be forewarned of anticipated delays, particularly in the morning hours.
The only items that will NOT be accepted Wednesday through Friday will be household hazardous waste. Household hazardous waste will ONLY be accepted Saturdays along with other items accepted at the Depot, by RESERVATION ONLY.
For reservation please call 519-539-2382 ext. 3182, 3102 or 3104.
Wearing a facial covering is recommended.
The Public Works Department would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding.
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| Tuesday, July 21 - Engineering Update |
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The City of Woodstock Engineering Office will be fully open to the public for all normal activities beginning, Monday, July 27th, 2020 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. with the exception of Building and By-law.
Residents requiring assistance from Building and By-law personnel will still be required to call in advance and make an appointment. If you wish to make an appointment please call: 519-539-2382 ext. 3104 or 3102.
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| Monday, July 13 - Taxation Update |
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The City of Woodstock Tax Department will begin charging penalty and interest to unpaid tax accounts at a reduced rate of .75 percent, as of August 1st, 2020. |
| Wednesday, July 8 - Transit Update |
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Woodstock Transit will be returning to full bus service on Monday, July 13th. All bus routes will once again resume operating at thirty minute intervals during regular operating hours. Seats will no longer be blocked off, however passengers are strongly reminded to physical distance as best they can. It is highly recommended for riders to wear a mask at all times when using public transit. Hand sanitizers are now onboard our buses and passengers are encouraged to hand sanitize upon boarding and before exiting the bus. If you are sick or symptomatic, please stay home and avoid taking public transportation. We will continue with rear-door boarding and no fare collection until further notice. |
| Tuesday, July 7 - Recycle Depot |
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The City of Woodstock Public Works Department is currently putting the final touches on the relocation of the Recycling Depot to the Enviro Depot. The Recycling Depot is scheduled to be open to the public by appointment only commencing on the morning of Wednesday July 8th. The hours of operation will mirror those of the Enviro Depot: 10am to 6pm Wednesday – Friday 10am to 5:30pm Saturday The Depot will accept the same items as regular curbside collection. Please break down large sections of cardboard to 30 inches or less. Styrofoam is not accepted as part of the curbside collection but can be deposed of at the Enviro Depot on Saturdays. To make an appointment to utilize either the Enviro Depot or Recycling Depot, please contact: 519-539-2382 ext. 3102 or 3104 Address: 944 James Street |
| Friday, July 3 - Parks and Recreation to open Lion's Pool starting Monday, July 6. |
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The City of Woodstock will be opening the Lion’s pool starting Monday, July 6 and will be running a modified summer program. Programs offered will include Aqua Fitness, Lane Swim, Family Swim, Summer Swim Team, and Private Swim Lessons. Participants will be required to complete a strict screening requirement upon arriving to the pool. Those displaying symptoms or who do not meet the screening requirements will not be admitted. Several extra precautions have also been put into place for the public’s safety and the safety of the staff:
Aquafit and Lane Swim participants must book a spot in advance by calling 519-539-2382 ext. 2720. Bookings will begin Friday, July 3 from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Please leave a message if a staff is unavailable. Online bookings will be available soon. Registration is on a first come, first served basis and it must be done online or over the phone. Please limit registration to one type of swim per day to accommodate as many guests as possible (ex. You may participate in 1 Aquafit class and 1 lane swim, but not 2 lane swims in one day). Memberships will remain on hold for now due to the reduced number of programs currently available. The Summer Swim Pass is available for purchase, which allows access to Lane Swim, Aquafit, and Family Swim. If participants have never accessed their online portal, use the reset password feature at www.cityofwoodstock.ca/onlineregistration. If this does not work, participants are encouraged to email onlineregistration@cityofwoodstock.ca to resolve. |
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Thursday, July 2 - Woodstock Museum NHS Re-opening July 7th |
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The Woodstock Museum NHS will open to the public on Tuesday July 7, 2020. Following the direction of the Province of Ontario and public health officials, the City of Woodstock has announced the facility will open with modified hours and programming to ensure the health and safety of the community. The Museum will be open to the public Tuesday to Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a special hour for seniors and visitors at risk from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The number of people allowed in the building will be limited to 30 to maintain physical distancing and visitors will be required to complete a health screening questionnaire upon entry. Additional health and safety measure have been implemented to protect staff and patrons including a glass barrier at the front reception desk, signage and stickers to promote physical distancing, sanitizing stations and enhanced levels of cleaning. Museum programs, including summer camps, have been postponed or cancelled until further notice. There will be also be a moratorium on tours and special events. The Woodstock Art Gallery is working towards reopening later in the month once appropriate health and safety measures are in place. Market Centre Theatre will remain closed to events, performances and other facility rentals until further notice. Information on the Woodstock Museum’s reopening plan can be found at www.woodstockmuseum.ca. |
| COVID-19 Daily Update Archives |
| COVID-19 Daily Update Archives |
Departmental Quick Links
City Facilities/Closures
| Are City facilities closed? |
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All municipally-run culture and recreation facilities will be closed from March 16 - until further notice. This includes:
The following organizations that operate in city buildings are also closed:
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| Is City Hall open? |
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City Hall will open to the public starting June 10: Hours of Operation Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 1:00pm 2:00pm – 4:00pm Closed daily (cleaning): 1:00pm – 2:00pm Service Level:
Public access protocols:
We encourage all residents who require services from City Hall to call 519-539-1291 or email the Clerks Department. |
| Can I still go to the library? |
| The Woodstock Public Library is closed, but we encourage residents to use all of our online resources at www.mywpl.ca. |
| Is Engineering Open? |
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The City of Woodstock Engineering Office will be fully open to the public for all normal activities beginning, Monday, July 27 with the exception of Building and By-laws.
Hours of Operation Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Residents requiring assistance from Building and By-law personnel will still be required to call in advance and make an appointment. If you wish to make an appointment please call: 519-539-2382 ext. 3102 or 3104. |
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Is the museum open? |
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The Museum is reopening July 7. Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Friday, 12:00pm to 4:00pm Seniors and People at Risk: 11:00am to 12:00pm |
EnviroDepot/Wate Management
| Are the Enviro Depot and Clark Street Recycling Collections Depot open? |
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Recycling Depot Drop-Off – Winter Hours (December 1 – March 31) – No Appointment Required This winter fibres (paper) and containers will be accepted at the recycling depot drop-off area located within the Enviro Depot at 944 James Street for the following hours: Wednesday-Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm Closed on Holidays
Enviro Depot Drop-Off – Winter Hours (December 1 – March 31) – No Appointment Required Materials accepted at the Enviro Depot (e.g. large item, electronic waste, household hazardous waste etc.) will also have revised winter hours as follows: Saturday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm Closed on Holidays |
| Do I still need to use garbage tags for garbage pickup? |
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The Garbage Bag Tag program is facilitated by Oxford County. Any questions or concerns you may have regarding the County's bag tag program should be directed to the County at 519-539-9800 or by email info@wasteline.ca. At this time, garbage bag tags as still required for garbage pickup.
You can now purchase bag tags online and they will be mailed directly to your home. |
| Will my garbage and recycling be picked up? |
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Garbage and recycling will continue to be picked up as scheduled. Residents can use the wasteline app to confirm their pickup schedule; visit the garbage and recycling web page for more information. To keep our workers safe please bag up your used tissues, wipes or other items you may have used to clean and or disinfect and dispose of in your regular garbage collection. If you are or have been sick, please place any items that may of come in contact with your mouth, nose or eyes into a sealed garbage bag. This applies to items that would normally be recycled such as water bottles, pop cans, and juice cartons. |
| Can I flush papertowel and wet wipes down the toilet? |
| Please do no flush papertowel and wetwipes down the toilet. Flushing paper towel and wipes down the toilet can cost a resident hundreds of dollars to unblock or repair their sanitary service. It is even more costly to the Municipality as it causes breakages in critical machinery. Even ”flushable” wipes can cause problems as Ryerson University finds that these wipes cannot safely be disposed of in your toilet. |
| Has anything changed with the garbage and recycling programs? |
| Garbage and recycling collection programs and protocols for Woodstock residents remain unchanged. If any Woodstock residents have questions regarding waste management services, they are advised to reference their City Services Calendar or the Wasteline app. |
Parks, Recreation and Culture
| Is the City cancelling Summer programs? |
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The City of Woodstock has cancelled all summer 2020 recreation, aquatic, museum, and art gallery programs including summer camps due to complications and restrictions from the Covid-19 pandemic. The City recognizes the important role that summer day camps play for families in Woodstock. The City will continue to monitor orders from the Province and guidance from Southwestern Public Health and will work to develop a modified care program, based on the restrictions and health precautions in place, when it is possible to do so. Participants will be withdrawn from all scheduled programs, and full credits will be placed on the participants’ Legend account. The credits can be used for all future programs in the City of Woodstock. All centers are currently closed, and phone calls may not be received. |
| Can I request a refund for programs that have been cancelled? |
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Participants may request a refund by emailing refundrequest@cityofwoodstock.ca. Your request will take 2 to 4 weeks to process.
To help ensure we are able to provide your refund in a timely manner, we ask that you please log into your Legend online account with the City of Woodstock and ensure your personal information and address is up to date.
If you are having issues logging in to your account, please use the Reset Password option. Any other issues or concerns with your Legend account, please email onlineregistration@cityofwoodstock.ca. |
| Is the pool open this Summer? |
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Lion's Pool is open and will be running a reduced program schedule, including Aquafit, Lane Swim, Family Swim, Private Lessons, and summer Swim Team. Southside Aquatic Centre will be open July 29 (pending inspection) for Aquafit, Lane Swim, Family Swim, and Private Lessons. The Wading Pool will be open July 29 (pending inspection). |
| What will be happening with my Recreation membership? |
| All recreational swimming, aquafitness and walking track memberships have been put on hold and will be reactivated once the facilities are open. |
| Are Parks Open? |
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The following park amenities are now open:
Restrictions on social gatherings of more than five people are still in effect as is social distancing. Park green spaces and trails will remain open, however everyone is asked to observe recommended social distancing. You are urged to please continue monitoring the City of Woodstock website and social media platforms for additional information and updates. |
| What is happening with third-party events (rentals) hosted at city facilities? |
| All municipally run culture and recreation facilities will be closed from March 16 until further notice. Please continue to check this webpage for updates on events. |
| Can I use soccer fields and ball diamonds? |
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The City of Woodstock is in the process of opening most of the outdoor sports fields and courts. Premiere sport fields will not be opening such as the gated class “A” fields. At this time all sports fields and courts are to be used strictly as recreation fields/courts. |
Treasury and Taxation
| Will the City continue to expect the 2020 Interim Tax bill to be paid? |
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The next installment of the interim tax bill for the City of Woodstock is due May 29, 2020, and the due date will not change. |
| How can I pay my property taxes without attending City Hall or my financial institution? |
Property tax payments can be made using these methods:
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| I would like to continue with my monthly or due date pre-authorized payment plan - do I need to do anything? |
| If you would like to continue with your pre-authorized payment plan you do not need to do anything, we will continue to withdraw your tax payments according to the pre-arranged schedule. |
| How can I change or cancel my pre-authorized payment plan? |
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If you are enrolled in the monthly pre-authorized payment plan and would like to defer the May 2020 payment to November 2020, please email your request to Property Tax as soon as possible. If you would like to withdraw from either the monthly or due date pre-authorized plan, please email your request to Property Tax as soon as possible. |
| I have a series of post dated cheques or a May 29, 2020 post dated cheque on file with the City. What will be done with these cheques? |
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If you would like us to deposit the cheques as dated, you do not need to do anything. We will deposit the cheques as originally planned. If you do not want the cheques to be deposited, please email us at Property Tax as soon as possible. Alternatively you can call 519-539-1291 and request the Tax Department. Leave a detailed message if there is no answer. |
| How can I get information about my property taxes? |
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Contact City Hall at 519-539-1291 and request the Tax Department. Leave a message if there is no answer, someone will call you back as soon as possible. E-mail Property Tax |
| What if I am selling or purchasing a property? |
| Your lawyer should be advising our office at the time that the transaction has closed. Documents can be e-mailed to Property Tax or faxed to 519-539-7705. Changes to ownership will be made as time permits. |
| Will I be charged interest on outstanding property tax payments? |
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Council has approved waiving the penalty and interest normally charged on June 1st and July 1st. Interest on outstanding accounts receivable has been waived for April, May, June and July. The tax department will begin charging penalty and interest to unpaid tax accounts at a reduced rate of .75 percent, as of August 1. We encourage taxpayers to continue to pay their taxes where possible. |
Transit
| Is transit still operational? |
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Woodstock Transit will be returning to full bus service on Monday, July 13. All bus routes will once again resume operating at thirty minute intervals during regular operating hours.
Cleaning and disinfecting of buses has been increased.
Effective Thursday August 13, 2020 Woodstock Transit will return to front door boarding and fare collection on Conventional and Specialized Transit buses. In preparation, please reload your electronic bus cards at least 48 hours prior to this date or have exact change as fare. We regret there will be no refunds on any partially used expired monthly bus passes purchased in March/April of 2020. As fair and reasonable compensation, Woodstock Transit has provided free bus service to all riders for the past four months. Passengers are reminded that masks are now mandatory on all Public Transit vehicles, unless you are exempt. |
| If I use a wheelchair, can I still use conventional public transit? |
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Anyone that uses a wheelchair and plans to utilize conventional transit must provide their own assistance to board, disembark and secure their wheelchair so that we do not violate the recommended social distancing recommendations. If you are not accompanied by an attendant, City Staff will make arrangements for riders using wheelchairs to be picked up by Para Transit and brought to their destination with minor delay. Riders needing the Para Transit service can book online, or they can call 519-539-2382 x2510. |
Special Events
| Is the City cancelling/postponing events/rentals? |
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We are suspending several City-run special events and meetings. If you have paid a fee for any of the suspended events, a credit will be applied to your account.
The following evens have been cancelled:
The following evens have been postponed:
The trail opening ceremony and ribbon cutting May 1, 2020 will be postponed until further notice but the trails that were to be highlighted in this ceremony will be open for use from May 1 going forward. Trails to be opened in the ceremony are as follows.
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City Council
| When is the next council meeting? |
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Regularly scheduled Council meetings are currently being conducted virtually. You can watch the meeting via livestream on the City of Woodstock YouTube Channel. Agendas, minutes and recordings for meetings can be found at https://calendar.cityofwoodstock.ca/council. |
Emergency Services
| Can I have a fire in my backyard? |
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NOTICE: At this time we are lifting the Open Air Burning ban for those who have existing current permits. We will not be able to issue new permits until further restrictions are lifted and we can enter homes to see that all alarms are up to date and working as per the bylaw. We respectfully ask that permit holders abide by the rules as outlined in the bylaw. If you have questions about permits or the bylaw please visit www.cityofwoodstock.ca for more information and please be good neighbours!
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Can I discharge fireworks? |
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There is a full ban on the sale and discharge of fireworks. The temporary ban on the sale and use of fireworks has been lifted for the Canada Day Holiday. Sale of fireworks will be allowed to start on June 24. For those wishing to use fireworks please familiarize yourself with the bylaw and remember the only day you can do so is July 1. |
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Who do I call to report a Covid-19 violation? |
| Concerned citizens may report violators by calling the City of Woodstock Police at (519) 537-2323. Please do not call 911. |
| What do I do if I have Covid-19 symptoms? |
| Please take the online self assessment tool and follow the instructions. |
Resources
We continue to encourage people to connect with trusted sources for Novel Coronavirus information including the following web sites:
Southwestern Public health - General information
Ontario Ministry of Health - Up-to-date status information
Public Health Canada - Frequently asked questions
Residents are encouraged to follow precautions outlined by the Southwestern Public Health and Emergency Services to reduce the risk and prevent the spread of germs.
We've Got This Woodstock
The City of Woodstock would like to thank these notable Woodstock born celebrities that were gracious enough to lend their voices to our Covid-19 awareness radio campaign.
| Mayor Trevor Birtch |
| Andrea Roth |
| Greg Morton |
| Jake Muzzin |
| Janna Polzin |
| Kevin Zegers |
| Matt Cassidy |
