Covid-19 Information

Provincial 3 step plan to Reopen Ontario:

Step One: Took effect June 11, 2021. An initial focus on resuming outdoor activities with smaller crowds where the risk of transmission is lower and permitting retail with restrictions. This includes allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people, outdoor dining with up to four people per table and non-essential retail at 15 per cent capacity. 

Step Two: Took effect June 30, 2021. Further expanding outdoor activities and resuming limited indoor services with small numbers of people where face coverings are worn. This includes outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people, outdoor sports and leagues, personal care services where face coverings can be worn and with capacity limits, as well as indoor religious services, rites, or ceremony gatherings at 15 per cent capacity.

Step Three will take place on July 16, 2021. Further expanding access to indoor settings, with restrictions. This includes indoor sports and recreational fitness, indoor dining, museums, art galleries and libraries, and casinos and bingo halls, with capacity limits. Indoor settings will be open to 50% capacity and outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people.

Each stage will last for at least 21 days before the Province contemplates moving to the next stage.

As of August 17, 2021, the province made COVID-19 vaccination policies mandatory in high-risk settings, pausing the province’s exit from the Roadmap to Reopen. It also is providing third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to vulnerable populations. The government is also expanding eligibility for the Pfizer vaccine to children born in 2009 or earlier.

See below for Kawartha Lakes services affected by the re-opening plan.

• Many administrative buildings are closed to the public, including City Hall.
• The Lindsay, Coboconk, Bobcaygeon and Omemee Service Centres are open to the public with limited hours and safety measures in place. Please see our Municipal Service Centre page for details. Calls will be received Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, 705-324-9411 or 1-888-822-2225.
• Drop Boxes will remain open at City Hall, Lindsay Service Centre, Coboconk Service Centre and Omemee Service Centre.
• Call 705-324-9411 and dial 0 for assistance Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. Dial 4000 for a recording of the latest information on closures.
• For after-hours municipal emergencies please call 1-877-885-7337.

• Landfills will be open under regular hours and restricted to occupancy at any given time to comply with provincial restrictions. Prepare for possible extended wait times.
• Residential curbside waste collection will continue with a 3 bag limit.
• Waste tags will continue to be available at participating retail stores that are not impacted by the stay-at-home-order. A list is available on the Waste Management – Items for Sale page.
• Waste calendars are available at participating retailers. A list is available on the website.

• General roads operations are continuing.
• Residents may report issues online that require attention. All requests will be recorded and processed as business operations return to normal.

The Human Services offices at 68 Lindsay St. N. in Lindsay and 49 Maple Ave. in Haliburton remain closed for public access. All critical operations including social assistance applications and payments, housing support and the maintenance of all KLH Housing buildings are continuing.

Staff can be reached at 705-324-9870 or 1-877-324-9870. These numbers are being used for Haliburton County residents as well at this time. Alternatively, emails can also be submitted to CKLhumanservices@kawarthalakes.ca. 

Social assistance payments to ongoing recipients will continue to be issued on the same monthly schedule and by the existing payment method.

New applications for Ontario Works can be started using the online application or by phone at 705-324-9870 or 1-877-324-9870, and press “2”.

Emergency financial support is also available to Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County residents who are not in receipt of Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program and are in financial crisis as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This Emergency Assistance may be available to people who haven’t yet accessed other financial supports, such as federal recovery benefits. 

To apply for benefits or for any questions about supports or services, call our office at 705 324-9870 or toll free 1-877-324-9870 and press “7” to leave a message with your contact information. You can also email CKLhumanservices@kawarthalakes.ca and leave a contact number where you can be reached.

Applications for Emergency Assistance can also be started using the online application.

For information about federal supports for individuals related to COVID-19, please visit the Benefits please visit our Financial Help and Community Supports pages and the Government of Canada website for Support for Individuals and Families.

All Emergency Services (Fire, Police and Paramedics) are being maintained. All administration buildings (Headquarters) for Fire and Paramedic Services are closed to the public. This includes all Fire Stations across the municipality.

• Special Burn permits can be requested by emailing burnpermits@kawarthalakes.ca. Please include the type of burn permit requested, home address, phone number and burn address.
• New Firework restrictions are in place.
• For Fire, Paramedic or Police emergencies, please dial 911.
• For information, regarding the fire/flood index rating please call 705-324-9411 and enter 8.

Applications for building permits are being received via email and at 180 Kent Street through an appointment-based drop off in which the applicant needs to phone and schedule an appointment to meet a staff member at the back door of 180 Kent Street. Small application packages and payments can be placed in the drop off box at the back door.

Building permits will be issued and inspection performed as per the Provincial essential services list.

E-Mail the Building division or call 705-324-9411 extension 1288 for inquiries.

Planning staff are taking inquiries by phone or email. Planning Staff are continuing to process all Planning applications and Planning Advisory Committee Meetings and Committee of Adjustment Meetings are held through Zoom meetings and available on the municipal YouTube channel.

The Planning Department is accepting new Planning applications by appointment only at the back door of 180 Kent St. The public will be required to phone the Planning Department and set up an appointment to drop off an application at the back door of 180 Kent St.

Small packages and payments can be put in the drop box at the back door of 180 Kent Street.
E-Mail Planning and Development or call 705-324-9411 extension 1231.

Operations are running as per usual scheduling with masks and occupancy restrictions in place.

• The municipal airport remains open for Ornge and any emergency vehicles and fuel purchases.
• The municipal airport restaurant is open for curbside pick up.
• Should you have any questions related to the airport or their services, please call 705-878-9354.

Kawartha Lakes recreation facilities, including recreation complexes, community centres, arenas, halls and swimming pools will be open effective July 26, 2021.

As of July 16, public library in-branch service has returned to 50 percent indoor capacity. Visit www.kawarthalakeslibrary.ca/covid19 or call 705-324-9411 extension 1291 for locations, hours and details.

Services such as dog tags, waste bag tags, oversize tag and pickup of waste calendars will not be issued at libraries until further notice. Please see Landfills and Waste Collection above for further instructions.

Provincial Offence Court

Water and wastewater operations are being maintained.
Please visit our property tax and utility billing page for details.

Offices are closed to the public, however most services are now being offered. Complaint queries are still being processed but there will be an extended delay in any additional action. We continue to monitor complaints including COVID-19 non-compliance complaints at 705-324-9411 extension 1212, bylawcomplaints@kawarthalakes.ca and an online form is available on the By-law and Municipal Law Enforcement page.