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In response to recent trends that show an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, the Ontario government is temporarily moving Kitchener and cities across the province into step two of its Roadmap to Reopen with modifications. These time-limited measures will help blunt transmission and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.

For Kitchener residents, this means effective Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 12:01 a.m. until at least Jan. 26, 2022, we will return to a modified version of step two of the Roadmap to Reopen. These measures include:

  • Reducing social gathering limits to five people indoors and 10 people outdoors.
  • Limiting capacity at organized public events to five people indoors.

"Like many of you, I was disappointed and frustrated with yesterday's news that we need to return to Step 2 type restrictions across Ontario as this is not how any of us hoped 2022 would start," said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. "As challenging as this is, the large number of cases and the level of infection being caused by the Omicron variant requires this difficult step to minimize the chances of a break-down in our health care system – here in Waterloo Region and across all of Ontario." 

Kitchener City Hall

  • Kitchener City Hall will remain open for scheduled in-person appointments. Virtual appointments are encouraged. For a list of services and to book an appointment visit www.kitchener.ca/bookappointment or call the corporate contact centre at 519-741-2345.

Arenas, pools, recreation facilities and community centres

  • Kitchener recreation facilities will be closed for indoor sport and recreational fitness, including swimming classes and indoor skating.  There will be limited exceptions for athletes training for the Olympics and Paralympics and select professional and elite amateur sport leagues.
  • The Aud will be closed for rentals and special events.  Visit www.theaud.ca for more information about ticketed special events and updated box office hours.
  • Select outdoor facilities will remain open with the number of spectators not to exceed 50 per cent occupancy and other requirements.
  • Select community centres will remain open for essential services such as food distribution, public access computers and warming centres as needed.

Kitchener cemeteries, weddings and religious services

  • Indoor weddings, funerals, and religious services, rites, and ceremonies will be limited to 50 per cent capacity. Outdoor services are limited to the number of people that can maintain two metres of physical distance. Social gatherings associated with these services must adhere to the social gathering limits. For more information visit www.kitchenercemeteries.ca or www.kitchener.ca/wedding.

Kitchener Market

  • The Kitchener Market will remain open for Saturday market operating at 50 per cent capacity, and the food hall will remain open for take-out. Indoor dining will not be available. For details visit www.kitchenermarket.ca

Libraries

  • Kitchener public library branches will remain open at 50 per cent capacity. Operating hours at all branches will be reduced to Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Sundays. For more information visit www.kpl.org.

Outdoor rinks

  • Outdoor synthetic rinks remain open at the Kitchener Market and 44 Gaukel St. Please follow posted signage for safety measures. Outdoor neighbourhood rinks are expected to open as soon as weather permits.

"It's my hope that adopting these provincially mandated actions now, will help us move towards a better path to re-opening as soon as possible. Thank you for all your efforts and sacrifices and please continue to be kind and to look after yourselves and each other," added Mayor Vrbanovic.

For more information on the impact on city programs and services visit www.kitchener.ca/COVID19 and for details on the changing measures visit Ontario Temporarily Moving to Modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen.

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For more information:
Shawn Falcao
Manager, Corporate Communications
shawn.falcao@kitchener.ca