Kingstonist’s COVID-19 Quick Reference Guide

We want to make sure that readers have access to current updates as quickly as possible. This page will provide the latest updates we have on COVID-19 in Kingston as well as updates regarding closures being done to encourage social distancing to help stop the spread of this virus.

Kingston Case Information

Ontario is currently under a state of emergency:

• All gatherings of 50 people or more are prohibited.
• All parades, public events and gatherings are cancelled or closed, including at places of worship.
• All facilities providing indoor recreational programs are closed.
• All public libraries are closed.
• All private schools and daycares are closed.
• All bars and restaurants, excluding takeout are closed.
• All theatres and cinemas are closed.

Only businesses considered essential are permitted to be open.

We will continue to update this list with individual closures and cancellations as we learn of them.

Kingston Health Sciences Centres

• Patient visitors will be limited to 1 person at all times, and only those considered essential, ie. for terminally ill people, children, a patient undergoing surgery, or a woman giving birth. People with cognitive and/or mobility difficulties may also be accompanied by one person.
• Entrance restrictions are in effect – details at the KHSC website.
• KFL&A Public Health is operating a COVID-19 assessment centre at the Memorial Centre daily.

Municipal Services

The City of Kingston is maintaining a page with its response.

• Kingston Transit: Reduced service beginning March 17. Service will operate on its Saturday schedule Monday – Saturday, resulting in a reduction primarily in Express route service.
• Waste disposal guidelines have been changed:
  • Tissues and napkins should go in garbage, not green bin.
  • Liners should be used in the green bin.
  • All waste should be bagged, no loose garbage in bins.
  • Additional details on the city’s website.
• Housing & Social Services: Requesting limited traffic to the office; contact by phone or e-mail if possible.
• Grand Theatre: All scheduled events in the Regina Rosen Auditorium at the Grand Theatre have been suspended.
• EarlyON Programming:
  • Programming in schools, Kingston Community Health Centres and the Kingston Military Resources Centre are cancelled.
  • Programming at New Life Church, Kingston Frontenac Housing Corporation, INVISTA Centre, Reg Shadbolt Learning Centre is open through March 20.
  • All sites closed March 23 and until further notice.
• Long-term care facilities: Visiting is restricted to those who are palliative or seriously ill.
• Recreation facilities and programming is being suspended at municipal facilities are closed March 17 through April 5. This applies to:
  • Artillery Park Aquatic Centre
  • Cataraqui Community Centre
  • Centre 70
  • INVISTA Centre
  • Memorial Centre
  • Rideau Heights Community Centre
• Kingston Frontenac Public Library: All branches closed through April 5. Online services remain accessible. Due dates extended through to April 14.
• Public access to Kingston Fire & Rescue stations, the training centre and KFR headquarters has been suspended.
• Utilities Kingston has suspended all non-critical services and programs until further notice. Reliability of water, wastewater, natural gas and electricity will not be impacted.
• Inspections of occupied dwellings by Building and Enforcement Services have been suspended through April 3.

School Closures

• All publicly funded elementary and secondary schools in Ontario are closed until further notice.
• Queen’s University:
  • All academic programs will be delivered remotely until the end of the semester.
  • Staff, where possible, will work remotely.
  • Spring Convocation ceremonies cancelled
  • Summer courses that aren’t online have been cancelled.
• Royal Military College:
  • Cadets are restricted to the RMC peninsula
  • Outside visitors, including delivery services, are not permitted. Gates are closed.
• St. Lawrence College:
  • Students residing in residences are being asked to go home.
  • Campus access restricted to single entrance, security monitored.
  • Faculty not deemed essential will be working remotely.
  • In-person classes have been suspended through March 20. Classes will then move to an online delivery model.
  • Student placements suspended.
  • On- and off-campus events arranged by the college through April 10 are cancelled or postponed.
• Kingston Christian School is closed until April 7

Community Closures & Reductions

• Addictions & Mental Health KFL&A has cancelled support groups. Their offices and the Crisis Line remain open.
• The Alibi has closed until further notice.
• Bella Bistro will close after the March 16 dinner service. May re-open for takeout soon.
• BluMartini Bar and Grill is closing effective March 17 until further notice.
• The Boys & Girls Club will be closed March 17 – April 5, including all after school, EarlyON and Big Brother and Big Sisters programming.
• The Canadian Hearing Services office in the Frontenac Mall has closed until further notice.
• Cataraqui Centre is closed as of March 25 until further notice.
• Cataraqui Golf & Country club is closed until further notice.
• Cataraqui Regional Conservation Area has closed its administrative offices and the Outdoor Centre including educational and weekend programming. The trails remain open.
• CFB Kingston
  • CFB Kingston is closed to the public.
  • Kingston Military Community Sports Centre, Communications and Electronics Museum, all base chapels are closed.
  • Kingston Military Family Resource Centre is closed.
• Cineplex Odeon will reduce seats to 50% and increase cleaning but remains open.
• Community Spirit Gaming Centre on Montreal St. will close at the end of day on March 16 until further notice.
• Copper Penny downtown will be closed by the end of March 17 until further notice.
• Copper Penny Grill’n Home will remain open for take out with pick-up only service with reduced hours.
• Daft Brewing has closed its taproom. The bottle shop remains open.
• Days On Front will be closed on March 17, 2020 to assess a plan moving forward.
• The Everly has closed its doors “until further notice” and will reopen when considered safe to do so.
• Frontenac Mall has reduced its hours: 9:30am – 7:00pm, Monday – Friday.
• JAKK Tuesdays will be closed effective 5:00pm on March 17 until further notice.
• Goodlife Fitness Clubs: Closed effective Monday, March 16.
• Golden Damrei Restaurant has closed its dining room. Take out orders are not impacted.
• HARS Kingston: The HARS office will be closed at 5pm on March 17 until further notice. All scheduled groups are postponed until further notice. Harm reduction services remain available at StreetHealth. More details on their website.
• The Iron Duke has closed until further notice.
• The Kingston Humane Society has closed to the public insluding suspension of owner surrenders. Adoptions are by appointment only.
• Kingston Seniors Centre: All operations suspended through April 5.
• The Kingston Visitor’s Information Centre is closed until April 6. Tourism Kingston staff remain available online, by email and by phone.
• Landmark Cinemas is reducing audiences to 50% and is increasing cleaning but remains open.
• Lechee Restaurant has closed its dining room. Take out and delivery orders are not impacted.
• The Loyal Oarsman has closed until further notice.
• Lululemon stores will be closed March 16 – March 27.
• The Maltby Centre has decided to suspend face-to-face services with their clients for three weeks beginning Monday, March 16, 2020. Services by telephone or video will continue.
• Mandarin Restaurants: Take-out only until further notice.
• Mark Gerretsen’s constituency office has been closed to the public. Office staff are able to assist constituent concerns by social media, phone or email.
• McCoy Bus Services has suspended all casino shuttles and has closed its office and fleet garage until further notice.
• The Merchant Taphouse: Closed effective March 16 until further notice.
• Mesa Fresca Kingston has closed its bar and restaurant. Takeout and delivery remain available from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily.
• Musiikki Cafe has closed until further notice.
• Northside Espresso & Kitchen has closed until further notice.
• Ontario court cases have been suspended as have all visits to Ontario correctional facilities
• Overtime Sports Bar has closed until further notice.
• Pathways to Education Kingston: Staff are all working from home and our programs are cancelled until April 6th
• Pan Chancho will remain open March 17 and March 18 with limited customers allowed in the store at a time. The café will be closed. Effective March 19, both the store and café will both be closed.
• Patenaude Martial Arts has placed all classes on hold for 2 weeks.
• The Public House has closed effective March 16 until it is safe to re-open.
• The Revolving Door consignment shop has closed until further notice.
• Royal Angkor has closed its dining room until further notice. Take out and delivery remain available.
• The Screening Room is closed through April 4.
• Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands is closed.
• The Social YGK will close at the end of its March 16 business day until further notice.
• Spearhead Brewing Company will close its taproom and retail store indefinitely at 9pm on March 16.
• Stone City Ales has closed its tap room. The bottle shop is open and free local delivery is being provided.
• Tallack Martial Arts has postponed all classes through April 5.
• The Thousand Islands Playhouse is closed through April 5. They can still be reached by phone.
• The Toucan has closed effective March 17. Tickes for its St. Patricks Day event will be refunded.
• Tim Hortons locations will focus on take-out and drive-thru service effective March 17.
• Tommy’s will close March 17 at midnight. Effective March 18, Tommy’s will be available only for pickup and delivery.
• Trillium Gymnastics has suspended all programs, including March reak Camp, through April 5.
• Utilities Kingston is postponing all non-essential planned power outages, including the planned outage for tree trimming in the University District.
• Via Rail: Services reduced by up 50% along the Quebec City – Windsor corridor.
• YMCA of Eastern Ontario: Closed through April 5.

Event Cancellations

• Almost Home’s 2020 Charity Gala is being postponed until further notice.
• The Bach Marathon which was to have taken place at The Spire on Saturday, March 21 from 1-6 has been cancelled.
• “Coffee On Us”, hosted by Bath United Church, has been cancelled.
• Blue Canoe Productions’ Theatrical Camp has been cancelled
• Boys & Girls Club of Kingston and Area: March 12 event with Nav Bhatia of the Toronto Raptors cancelled.
• Chez Piggy will be closed beginning March 17 and until further notice.
• Daft Brewing’s St. Patrick’s Day Pancake Bash has been cancelled.
• Dr. Jacki White has closed her chiropractic care office for two weeks..
• The ‘Feeding Our Future’ fundraiser for the Food Sharing Project on March 28 has been cancelled.
• The Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Science Fair on March 26 and 27 has been cancelled.
• Hoopskills Basketball Camp has been cancelled.
• Indigo Kingston’s march break activities have been cancelled.
• King’s Town Players production of ‘Jitters’ has been cancelled.
• The Kingston Community Credit Union (KCCU) has postponed its annual general meeting.
• Kingston Canadian Film Festival: Cancelled all screenings after March 12, 6:00pm.
• Kingston Frontenacs: All games are suspended following the suspension of the Ontario Hockey League.
• The Kingston Humane Society’s event, ‘Bowl for the Animals’, has been can event, set to take place April 5, is cancelled. Instead, people are asked to pledge and raise funds as part of a ‘Virtual Bowl‘.
• Kingston Literacy & Skills is suspending all programming March 17 – April 5, 2020.
• The Kingston Meistersingers production of ‘The Producers’ has been delayed until the fall.
• The Kingston Photographic Club has suspended all meetings and outings until further notice
• Maple Madness at the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area has been cancelled.
• Nexus Kingston has cancelled all in-store events through April 5. The retail location remains open.
• Rail O Rama event scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 14 and Sunday, Mar. 15, 2020 at The Ambassador Hotel and Conference Centre has been cancelled.
• Riverhead Brewing Company has cancelled its March 19 trivia night.
• The Rocking Horse has cancelled all march break programming. Its retail location remains open and refunds for march break registrations are being provided.
• St. George’s Cathedral Chamber Orchestra and Concert Choir scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 14, 2020 is cancelled
• Seedy Saturday, previously scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 14, 2020, has been cancelled
• Trillium Gymnastics Club’s March Break Camp has been cancelled
• United Way of KFL&A: March 14 Masquerade event cancelled.
• Utilities Kingston is acting on a recommendation from KFL&A Public Health to cancel our Safety Days event for 2020

Places of Worship

• All Anglican churches in the Diocese of Ontario have suspend their services of worship as of March 15 until further notice
• Bay Park Baptist has cancelled services on Sunday, March 15
• Bayridge Alliance Church on Gardiners Rd has cancelled public worship services until further notice.
• Bethel Church has cancelled services on Sunday, March 15
• Edith Rankin Memorial United Church has cancelled services for March 15, March 22, and March 29. The church office will remain open, ministerial staff will be available, and many activities for small groups will continue.
• Impact Church has cancelled worship services on Sunday, March 15
• Islamic Society of Kingston is closing its Evening & Weekend School from March 14 to March 23
• Our Lady of Lourdes Church cancelled its St Patrick’s Day Dinner on March 15.
• St Andrews Presbyterian Church on Clergy St has cancelled church services on Sunday, March 15.
• S. Joseph’s Catholic Church has cancelled masses on March 21 and 22. Daily masses continue.
• St George’s Cathedral has suspended in-person worship. Services will continue on their YouTube page.
• Westside Fellowship Christian Reformed Church: March 15 service cancelled
• Wolfe Island United Church has cancelled worship services on March 15, 22 and 29.

Loyalist Township

• All recreation centres closed.
• County of Lennox & Addington Libraries branches, programs and events are closed and cancelled until further notice.
• Fire stations closed to the public.
• All municipal facilities and administration offices are closed through April 6. Staff remain available to assist by email or phone.
• Additional information on the Loyalist Township response.

South Frontenac Township

• Visitors to the administrative offices and public services facility are asked to self-screen for symptoms. Phone and email are preferred.
• All municipality-owned recreation facilities are now closed.
• All fire stations are closed to the public. Only essential staff have access to these buildings.
• The interim tax bill deadline has been extended to April 30, 2020.
• South Frontenac Community Services:
  • Grace Centre front doors are locked. Access is available from side entrance following a screening.
  • Adult day service: Clients are being contacted individually. Lunch service will continue uninterrupted.
  • Transportation: Essential drives only following screening
  • Hot/Frozen Meals: Meal deliveries will continue. Deliveries will be done to the door and drivers will undergo a verbal screening.
  • Food bank: The community food bank is now only open on Wednesdays with pre-packaged hampers of food.
  • Home making/maintenance and in-house hospice: Essential services only.
  • Rural Services: On-site visits based on essential need.
  • Income Tax Program: Clients can drop documents at the Grace Centre for returns to be completed.
  • Grace Centre social activities, Lunch Club dates, foot care clinics and volunteer visits and support groups are suspended.

Additional Coverage

Kingstonist will continue to monitor and update this list as changes happen. If you know of a closure or cancellation not listed, please contact us on Facebook or Twitter to provide us with the update.

• Kingston sees numerous cancellations and closures due to COVID-19 concerns
• City of Kingston releases COVID-19 preparedness information
• Provincial government cancelling two weeks of school due to COVID-19
• Queen’s University suspends undergrad classes in light of COVID-19
• Canadian Armed Forces personnel banned from international travel
• Ontario Hockey League ‘pauses’ season
• St. Lawrence College suspends classes amid COVID-19 concerns
• Grand Theatre suspends all shows in Regina Rosen Auditorium
• Kington Humane Society makes changes due to COVID-19 concerns
• Royal Military College taking precautions to prevent COVID-19 spread
• Cataraqui Centre reducing hours in response to COVID-19
• Residents urged to follow safe waste disposal guidelines during pandemic
• City of Kingston closes all recreation facilities
• ‘We are encouraging staff, where possible, to work remotely’: Queen’s Principal
• SLC directing staff to work from home, limiting entrance to college
• Boys and Girls Club facilities to close as part of COVID-19 preparedness
• Local Public Health confirms the first three cases of COVD-19 in Kingston