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COVID-19

COVID-19

This page is for all the news and announcements from the City of St. John's related to precautionary measures undertaken to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Please note that non-medical masks must be worn inside any public facility, including municipal buildings.

As the province moves to Alert Level 2, please note the following updates in City Services as of Monday, March 29, 2021:

  • The Access Centre (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Building Counter (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) will be open to the public
  • For all other City Hall business, please call to make an appointment.

Remaining closed to public access: 

  • The Welcome Centre, 348 Water Street, is closed. Contact us: Business 576-8107 or business@stjohns.ca; Visitors 576-8106 or 1-844-570-2009 or tourism@stjohns.ca
  • The City Archives, 15 Terra Nova Road, is closed

Contact Us
Residents are encouraged to contact the City through Access St. John's in the following ways:

  • Report problems via our free app 311 St. John's
  • Submit a service request online
  • Email access@stjohns.ca
  • Call 311 or 754-CITY (2489)
  • Anything that can be emailed should be sent to access@stjohns.ca instead of faxed, due to the fact that many staff are working remotely. 
  • Most payments by debit or credit card can be made by calling Access St. John's. Please do not fax or email credit card information.
  • Non-profit housing clients may call 576-8196 or email housing@stjohns.ca.

Businesses and Developers
The City has developed a new resource page for business-owners or those looking for infomration on business in St. John's. The page includes a business resource and information hub with links to resources for businesses during the global pandemic.

Council Update

  • On Monday, March 29, 2021 Council Meetings will resume in Council Chambers; Council Chambers remain closed to the public and media until further notice, and meetings continue to be broadcast live and archived on the City’s website at stjohns.ca/councilmeetings. 

Garbage and Recycling

  • Waste collection continues on regular schedules.
  • The Residential Drop Off is open. Residents can bring their recycling to Robin Hood Bay if they wish. For hours of operation, visit robinhoodbay.ca

Humane Services 

On Monday, March 29, City of St. John’s Humane Services will be open by appointment only.  

Services are currently suspended for the cat spay program and owner surrenders.

If you have an emergency or animal control concern, contact Access St. John's by calling 311 or 754-2489 (CITY) or email access@stjohns.ca. Report lost and found animals by email at humaneservices@stjohns.ca.
 
Adoptions:
Animals can be viewed on the City website. If you are interested in adopting:
  • Complete the application form
  • Email to humaneservices@stjohns.ca
  • Please make sure you send all documents requested as attachments 
  • Payment will be taken by credit card over the phone
  • Pick up will be contactless at the door. 
 
Low Cost Cat Neuter Program:
Residents of St. John's seeking financial assistance to neuter your male cat are asked to please fill out the application form found on our website and email to humaneservices@stjohns.ca. Once reviewed and approved, payment will be taken by credit card over the phone and you will then be notified of your appointment date and time. To qualify for this program, you must include proof of residency and proof of income, as indicated on the application. 
Euthanasia:
We will be performing emergency end of life service for low income residents of St. John’s (call 311 and leave details).  If you do not have an emergency or are not low income, please contact a private veterinarian. 

Municipal Parks

  • Parks and playgrounds are open
  • In response to large numbers of pedestrians in Bowring Park and the need to physically distance, it has become necessary to modify the direction of travel to a counter-clockwise direction around the Bungalow:
  • When traveling east from the playground and swimming pool, after crossing the bridge take a right to head toward the duck pond.
  • When traveling west from the duck pond, take the road on the right to go back up the hill.
  • As of February 13, The Loop at Bannerman Park is closed.
  • As we await guidance from public health officials, please note that outdoor washrooms in municipal parks may not be open for your use.The duck pond at Bowring Park is open.
  • Garbage receptacles are installed and serviced in parks.
  • Dog Parks are open. Dogs are not permitted in City outdoor sporting facilities (ie. ball fields) but are permitted to be walked on-leash in parks and open spaces. Please pick up after your pet. 
  • Community gardens are permitted to operate, with restrictions posted at the site.
  • Outdoor activities are encouraged as long as physical distancing can be maintained and you are not required to self-isolate for any reason. Residents are asked to please stay within their ‘bubble’ and to practice physical distancing while enjoying the City’s municipal parks. One directional travel signs will be posted on trails that do not allow for 2m separation for two way directional walking/riding.

For a full list of parks operated by the City of St. John’s, please visit the City’s parks page.

Permits - Residential and Commercial

  • The Building Counter is open, 9 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.
  • Online applications are still being received and processed; or you can call 576-8565 or email permits@stjohns.ca to apply . 

Railway Coastal Museum
The Railway Coastal Museum is closed, effective February 10.

Recreation

The Paul Reynolds Community Centre and the H.G.R. Mews Community Centre Swimming Pools will reopen for lane and leisure swims.   See Schedules.
PLEASE NOTE: Ticket purchase/registration is required for all swims. Registration is available one week at a time and begins 9am on Saturdays for the following week. A RECconnect account is required for ticket purchase/registration. Set up an account and purchase swim tickets at stjohns.ca/RECconnect.
  • Senior’s events and outings remain on hold until further notice.
  • Registration for spring programming will begin the week of April 5.

Tax Payments: 

  • Tax payments can be made online or through bank deduction. See below for details on how you can make preauthorized payments through your bank for City of St. John’s taxes. Your account number is on your municipal tax bill. Omit the first two zeros when prompted for your account number.
Name of Bank Name to search
Bank of Montreal ST. JOHN'S, TAXES
Hong Kong Bank CITY OF ST. JOHN'S NFLD. TAXES
Simplii Financial ST. JOHN'S TAXES
Royal Bank of Canada NFLD
Scotiabank ST. JOHN'S (CITY) WATER TAXES
TD Canada Trust ST. JOHN'S TAXES (include first 2 zeros of account number)
CIBC ST. JOHN'S TAXES

All City Messages

NEW: COVID-19 Update on City Services for March 16
Recreation Registration, Travel in Bowring Park
Recycling Collection Resumes March 1
Recycling Collection Suspended for Two Weeks February 14
Playgrounds and the Loop Closed February 13
Update on City Services for February 12
COVID-19 Cases, City of St. John's
Update on City Services for February 10
Update on City Services for February 9 as of 6 p.m.
Update on City Services for February 9
Recreation Facilities Closed Tuesday Morning Feb. 9
The Loop is Open with COVID Requirements
 Senior Citizen Tax Reduction Automatically Extended
Update on City Services Sept. 28
Access Centre to Reopen September 8
Residential Parking Permit Renewal Extended
Modified Learn to Swim Program
Recreation Update July 21
Update on City Services July 10
Update on Commercial Operations at Robin Hood Bay
Council Extends Interest Relief and Expedites Application Process for Outdoor Spaces
Update on City Services July 3
Sewer Backup Service Re-instated
Outdoor Pools Open July 2
Update on Service June 25
Update on Service June 18
Transportation Changes to Support Social Distancing
Book an Appointment for Bulk & Metal Collection
Alert Level 3 Impact to City Services
Restrictions Easing in Municipal Parks; Tennis Courts to Open May 29
Waste Announcements: RDO & Curbside Recycling & Yard Waste
Bulk Garbage Accepted as of May 19
City Officials Concerned About Behaviour in Parks
Humane Services to Offer Low Cost Cat Neuter and Contactless Adoptions
Municipal Parks to Reopen May 11
RDO to Open for Bagged Household Garbage May 11
Planning Underway to Repoen RDO and Parks
Fast Facts on Litter Collection
Yard Waste Pick-Up Postponed for May
Recycling to Resume Monthly; St. George's Day Notices
Fast Facts on Laptop Purchases
Council Considers Street Network Changes
City Seeking Feedback on Public Engagement
Private Sewer Lateral Service Discontinued
Thank-You Virtual Event for Essential Workers
COVID-19 Update for March 25, 2020
COVID-19 Update for March 24, 2020
Tax Relief for Commerical and Residential Property Owners
City Council Meeting Postponed
COVID-19 Update for March 21, 2020
COVID-19 Update for March 19, 2020
COVID-19 Update for March 17, 2020
Factility Closures Due to COVID-19
City Monitoring COVID-19 Situation

Other helpful links:
Self-isolation information from the provincial government.
Provincial COVID-19 website
Travel advisories in Canada are posted here.
Information on COVID-19 from the Public Health Agency of Canada.