What’s open and closed for Easter weekend 2020

This holiday long weekend will certainly look different from the Easter weekends that came before it, as residents in Kingston and across the country are urged to continue to stay at home and maintain physical distancing.

This means only leaving home for essential trips, and not gathering with those we don’t live with – no trips to visit family, no gathering for religious observations, and no socializing with others in parks or restaurants. Residents are reminded to continue physical-distancing and self-isolation during the Easter long weekend and review these practices on the KFL&A Public Health site. The City would like to remind residents that visiting could spread the COVID-19 virus amongst your friends and loved ones

 But that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy the holiday long weekend at home! Easter egg hunts with those in your household, traditional Easter and Passover family meals can be prepared and enjoyed together, and, most importantly, we can all celebrate our health and happiness at home while keeping ourselves, our neighbours, and essential workers safe and healthy, too!

Undoubtedly, there are a lot more closures than we usually see here in Kingston on holiday weekends. In an attempt to help our readers navigate through the changes to services and businesses, we’ve compiled a list of what is open, closed, and changed due to Easter weekend 2020.

City of Kingston offices, facilities and services

Administrative offices, including housing and social services on Montreal Street and Provincial Offences are already closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Utilities Kingston and Kingston Hydro are closed Friday through Monday. In the event of a utility emergency, such as a gas smell, power outage or a water main break, call Utilities Kingston/Kingston Hydro’s 24-hour number at 613-546-1181. (Hydro One electricity customers in City west and east can call 1-800-434-1235. Union Gas customers can call 1-877-969-0999).

All branches of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library are already closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arenas, Artillery Park Aquatic Centre, Rideau Heights Community Centre and INVISTA Centre/Fitness & Wellness Centre are already closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning is already closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grand Theatre Box Office is already closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PumpHouse and MacLachlan Woodworking Museums are already closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kingston Transit: There is no bus service on Friday or Sunday. The Centre 70 hospital shuttle will not run Friday, but will run on Sunday. Kingston Transit will operate on its reduced COVID-19 pandemic schedule (https://www.cityofkingston.ca/-/kingston-transit-moves-to-reduced-sunday-service-and-adds-dedicated-hospital-shuttle) on all other days.

Kingston Access Services: No service on Friday on Sunday.  Limited service and hours on Saturday and Monday. Call 613-542-2512 for information.  KAS offices are closed on Friday, Sunday and Monday.

Green bin, garbage and recycling: There is no collection on Friday, Apr. 10 or Monday, Apr. 13. Friday’s material will be collected Saturday. Monday’s collection moves to Tuesday and collection moves forward a day for the rest of the week. Please continue to follow the safe waste-disposal guidelines found here during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shopping and Grocery Stores

A vast majority of the Cataraqui Centre is already closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For Easter weekend hours for the Bank of Montreal and Shoppers Drug Mart in the mall, click here.

Walmart will be closed on Friday, Apr. 10 and Sunday, Apr. 12.

Costco will be closed on Friday, Apr. 10 and Sunday, Apr. 12.

The Kingston Centre will be closed Friday, Apr. 10 and Sunday, Apr. 12.

Both Staples locations will be closed Friday, Apr. 10 and Sunday, Apr. 12.

Both Loblaws locations will be closed Friday, Apr. 10 and Sunday, Apr. 12.

Both No Frills locations will be closed Friday, Apr. 10 and Sunday, Apr. 12.

All Metro locations will be closed Friday, Apr. 10 and Sunday, Apr. 12.

All Food Basics locations will be closed Friday, Apr. 10 and Sunday, Apr. 12.

Farm Boy will be closed Friday, Apr. 10 and Sunday, Apr. 12

Freshco will be closed Friday, Apr. 10 and Sunday, Apr. 12.

Foodland in Amherstview will be open Friday, Apr. 10, but closed Sunday, Apr. 12.

Valu-mart will be closed Friday, Apr. 10 and Sunday, Apr. 12.

All LCBO locations will be closed Friday, Apr. 10, Sunday, Apr. 12, and Monday, Apr. 13.

All Beer Store locations will be closed Friday, Apr. 10 and Sunday, Apr. 12.

All Shoppers Drug Mart locations will be closed Friday, Apr. 10 and Sunday, Apr. 12. Individual store hours may vary otherwise. Click here to search store hours in Kingston.

Many downtown Kingston stores are already closed due to the pandemic, however, some restaurants are offering take-out and delivery services. Call ahead to find out what your favourite restaurants are doing.

Banks and post offices

A majority of banks and post offices will be closed Friday, Sunday and Monday. Call your branch ahead of time to find out.

News

As always, Kingstonist will be open. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the goings-on in the city, as they happen. We will also be happy to hear from you if there is something you think we should know about. Please reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook or via our contact page any time.