Coronavirus: What’s open, closed — and cancelled — in London, Ont.

There’s a long list of closures and cancellations in London as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The virus, which causes the disease COVID-19, was classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization after it spread worldwide, with major hotspots in China, Iran and Italy.

Doctors and health officials are urging people to practise social distancing, and governments worldwide are limiting large gatherings in order to limit the spread of the disease.

As of Mar. 26, the Ontario government has issued an emergency order banning gatherings of more than five people, to help “flatten the curve,” or suppress the spread of COVID-19.

On March 23, Premier Doug Ford order the closure of all non-essential workplaces in Ontario that was revised to limit more businesses on April 3 for at least 14 days.

Ontario issued a second province-wide emergency alert regarding coronavirus Saturday afternoon, advising residents to stay home amid the pandemic.

“The time to act is NOW. Everyone but essential workers need to stay home. Only go out if absolutely necessary to pick up groceries, prescriptions, or go to a medical appointment. Ignoring self-isolation or physical distancing advice can have devastating effects and endanger lives,” the alert said.

Canadians are urged to practise good hygiene, including frequent handwashing.

Here is a look at what is open and closed in the London area. If there is anything missing from this list, you can email additional information to news@980cfpl.ca.

Entertainment/Food services

• The Factory announced that will be closed until further notice starting March 16.
• The Museum of Ontario Archaeology has cancelled its annual Maple Harvest Festival, which was scheduled for Sunday.
• The Grand Theatre has been closed as a result of the province’s non-essential workplaces shutdown. The organization has cancelled its planned High School Project production and has delayed a multi-million dollar renovation.
• The Stratford Festival has cancelled performances from April 11 to May 2, as well as public events in its facilities during March and April.
• All malls are included in the non-essential workplaces shutdown.
• Budweiser Gardens has postponed all events until May 9, 2020.
• RBC Place London says it is not hosting events until further notice.
• Museum London says it is closed to visitors and all other groups. All programming has been cancelled or postponed until further notice.
• Boler Mountain says it has closed for the winter season.
• All bars, nightclubs, dine-in resturants, and theatres are closed as a result of the province’s non-essential workplaces shutdown.
• Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario has cancelled its two main events: Signature Taste Test of London’s Best (scheduled for June 8) and Hair Affair for Parkinson’s (scheduled for April 26).

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Education/Community services

• The city says all city facilities, including City Hall, arenas, community centres and senior’s centres, pools, libraries, golf courses and Provincial Offences Court, Tourism London offices and social services offices are closed until further notice. Playgrounds, skate parks, multi-use courts, sports fields, golf courses, off-leash dog parks, and community gardens are also closed.
• Fanshawe College has announced all classes are cancelled for March 16 to 20. The College said that where possible classes will start online on Monday, March 23.
• Western University and affiliate colleges have cancelled classes until next week, at which time they will be conducted online for the remainder of the term.
• The Ontario government has ordered all publicly funded schools to be shut down until at least May.
• The Thames Valley District School Board said the shutdown also impacts all child care centres in its schools; alternative, adult and continuing education; EarlyON Child and Family Centres and London Family Centres; community use of facility permits; international field trips; out of province trips until the end of April; dual credit programs and all co-op placements; and all athletic and artistic competitions and practices.
• The London Public Library says as of April 5 all branches and return chutes remain closed until further notice. No items will be due, no fines will be charged, and cards that are due to expire will be extended. Programs and events at all branches, including Wolf Performance Hall, are cancelled until at least May 19.
• Diocese of London announced all Masses and services are cancelled until at least April 30.
• Organizers for the London and Area Works Job Fair say the April 21 event has been cancelled. The next job fair is slated to take place in late September.
• The City of Woodstock says City Hall and the Engineering and Public Works offices are closed to walk-in visitors.
• St Vincent de Paul thrift stores and voucher program are temporarily closed until further notice.
• The 2020 Thames River Clean Up has been cancelled.
• The London Clean and Green program has been “delayed until further notice.”

Sports

• The Canadian Hockey League has cancelled all remaining regular season games and has cancelled this year’s Memorial Cup.
• The National Basketball League of Canada, which includes the London Lightning, has cancelled the rest of the 2019-20 season.
• U Sports men’s and women’s Canadian university hockey championships have been cancelled. The Western Mustangs men’s hockey team was in the middle of the championship at the time of the decision.
• The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League and Provincial Junior Hockey League seasons have been cancelled.

What’s open

• Starting April 4, all passengers on conventional service boarding London Transit through the front door will be required to confirm to the bus Operator they are not suffering any symptoms (fever, cough or difficulty breathing). With the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, London Transit will be extending the rear boarding and alighting on our conventional service until April 30th. As a result, London Transit will continue not collecting fares on conventional transit for this period.
• Some restaurants that provide take-out, drive-through, and delivery.
• Grocery stores are open, though there are reactions on how many people can be inside at one time and many stories have spaced out lines at checkout.
• LCBO and Beer Store locations are open but with altered hours.
• All Home Depot stores across the province are switching to online orders and curbside pickup only. Starting April 5, no customers will be allowed into the store.
• Canadian Tire stores through Ontario are switching to curbside pick up until further notice.