What’s closed, cancelled in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge amid coronavirus outbreak

While many grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations are open in Waterloo Region, most camps, recreational facilities and libraries are closed due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

On Mar. 17, Ontario Premier Doug Ford ordered all recreation programs, libraries, private schools, daycares, churches and other faith settings to close.

He also ordered all bars and restaurants to shut down, except those that offer take out or delivery.

The following is a list of cancellations and closures. Global News will update this page as we receive further information:

• All publicly funded schools in Ontario will be closed for two weeks after March break, shutting their doors from March 14 to April 5.
• All municipally run museums, libraries, arenas, pools, community centres and public libraries will be closed until April 5.
• All day camps and recreational programs taking place throughout the region, in cities and through the YMCA have been cancelled.
• The Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory and THEMUSEUM are closed indefinitely.
• The Elmira Curling Club has closed for the season.
• All Apple Stores are closed until March 27.
• Most gyms have closed. GoodLife Fitness has announced a Canada-wide closure of all its locations.
• Lush retail stores are closed from March 16 to 29.
• Cadillac Fairview is reducing operating hours at malls across Canada.
• Mandarin announced the closure of its buffet.
• Lululemon closed all stores across North America and Europe.
• The Elmira Maple Syrup Festival has been cancelled.
• True North and Fluxible have been cancelled.
• The Kitchener Rangers’ season has been postponed.
• Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony concerts are cancelled until April 5
• Waterloo’s State of the City and Council for a Day events have been postponed. They were originally to take place on April 21.
• Stratford Festival shows postponed until May
• Drayton Entertainment has cancelled performances at the Hamilton Family Theatre in Cambridge as well as the theatres in St Jacobs
• Waterloo Region Small Business Centres’ located in Kitchener, Cambridge, and Waterloo are cancelling all workshops, events and in-person consultations at this time.
• The Cambridge Ward 7 by-election which was to take place on Mar. 23 has been postponed until further notice
• Region and area municipalities will be closing all remaining municipal facilities to the public up to and including April 5. This includes all city/township halls, regional headquarters and municipal administrative offices – unless access is required to deliver a critical service
• Kitchener Market including upper food hall has closed
• St Jacob’s Market closed on March 17 until at least March 31
• The Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery will be closed to the public until April 6 or until further notice.

The following remain open at this time:

• Grand River Transit
• Most grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies remain open
• LCBO and Beer Store locations will remain up, but with reduced hours
• All outdoor parks and trails
• GO Trains will continue to operate but will do so on a reduced schedule beginning Mar. 18.

3:52 How to talk to your kids about COVID-19

Concerned about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:

Health officials say the risk for Canadians is low.

Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing – very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease.

To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. And if you get sick, stay at home.