What’s open and closed Victoria Day long weekend 2020
Ah, May 2-4. While it’s actually a holiday weekend meant to observe Victoria Day on Monday, May 18, 2020, the May long weekend is often regarded as the unofficial beginning of summer.
Traditionally, it is a time that sees family and friends come together for barbecues and cold drinks, or getting out on the lake during the first taste of the season ahead. And while those in Ontario are now allowed to go to the driving range and participate in low-contact recreational activities, many regulations regarding the current COVID-19 pandemic remain in place.
Residents are reminded to continue physical-distancing and self-isolation during the 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! Plan a virtual cocktail hour with your friends, enjoy a meal outdoors with those you live with, or even take the weekend for the extra R&R so many of us could use right now. 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 Victoria Day 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 due to COVID-19 pandemic. In the event of a utility emergency, such as a gas smell, power outage or a water main break, call the Utilities Kingston 24-hour number at 613-546-1181. Hydro One electricity customers in the city’s west and east ends should 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. Services and digital collections can be accessed online here.
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.
Portsmouth Olympic Harbour and Confederation Basin marinas are already closed due to COVID-19 pandemic, but work is underway for them to open in late May.
Kingston Transit: Buses will continue to run on Kingston Transit’s reduced COVID-19 pandemic schedule.
Kingston Access Services: Operates with limited service Monday. Call 613-542-2512 for information.
Green bin, garbage and recycling: There is no collection on Monday, May 18, 2020. Collection occurs the day after your regular collection day 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 information on which outlets remain open and their hours, click here.
Walmart will open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2020.
Costco will be open from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2020.
The Frontenac Mall is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both Staples locations will be closed on Monday, May 18, 2020.
Both Loblaws locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2020.
The Division Street No Frills location will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2020, and the Coverdale Drive location will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2020.
All Metro locations will be closed on Monday, May 18, 2020.
All Food Basics locations will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2020.
Farm Boy be open for early shoppers from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., and then open to all customers from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2020.
Freshco will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2020.
Foodland in Amherstview will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2020.
Valu-mart will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2020.
All LCBO locations will be closed Monday, May 18, 2020.
All Beer Store locations will be closed Monday, May 18, 2020.
All Shoppers Drug Mart locations will be open Monday, May 18, 2020. 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 Monday, May 18, 2020. 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.