Coronavirus Disease | COVID-19

The municipality is committed to taking important steps in reducing the spread of COVID-19.

For all health-related updates on COVID-19 visit novascotia.ca/coronavirus

The municipality’s Emergency Management Division is working very closely with provincial partners at Health and Wellness and NS EMO to respond to and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.

As part of the collective effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, some municipal staff will continue to work remotely. This is part of an overall public health strategy to help safeguard the health of others, particularly the most vulnerable in our communities, by reducing the number of our employees in the workplace where possible while still maintaining operations.

Exercising protective measures such as regular, proper hand washing and maintaining physical distancing will help defend against illness — as well as reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Information regarding municipal programs and services, as well as provincial health messages, will be shared via Twitter @hfxgov,  public service announcements and our website.  

Provincial state of emergency

The Halifax Regional Municipality supports the province’s decision to declare a state of emergency.

A provincial state of emergency does not impact public safety service levels or the need to maintain a level of core public services. All standard essential services of the municipality – including 311, fire and police – are operational and adhering to the most updated guidance and precautions from health officials.

Municipal staff continue to adjust service levels related to the provincial state of emergency. NOTE: The two-metre physical distancing and physical gathering limits do not apply to Halifax Transit as stated in the provincial order.

Residents and businesses are advised: Under provincial authority, individuals who are found in breach of the order will be subject to fines issued by provincial and local police enforcement.

Municipal updates

General

  • An important reminder to residents: DO NOT call 911 for non-emergency purposes. Residents can call 311 and police non-emergency lines.

  • The provincial public health order states that non-medical masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces as of July 31, 2020. The public health order and subsequent guidelines set out by the Province of Nova Scotia apply to all municipal facilities. Details can be found here.

  • All in-person public engagement and events hosted by the municipality are postponed until further notice. The municipality will provide online engagement options as much as possible.

  • Meetings of Regional Council, the Board of Police Commissioners and community council meetings will continue to be held virtually using Microsoft Teams. Other board and committee meetings will continue to be held via teleconference or will be rescheduled to a later date. For meetings held via teleconference, meeting minutes will be posted online as soon as possible after the conclusion of the meeting. More information, including how to watch online, can be found on our agenda page. 

  • Cleaning staff in all municipal facilities have been instructed to increase the frequency of thoroughly cleaning public surfaces, such as door knobs, elevators and counters.
Customer Service

  • As of Aug. 4, 2020 the in-person customer service centres at Alderney Gate and Bayers Road reopened to the public with regular hours. The in-person customer service centre at the Musquodoboit Harbour Recreation Centre & Library also reopened, but with reduced hours of weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents are reminded to follow all public health protocols while on site, including maintaining physical distancing of two metres (six feet) at all times.

  • As part of the 2020/21 recast budget discussion, the customer service centres and drop-boxes at Acadia Centre (Sackville) and Scotia Square will remain permanently closed.

  • The Planning & Development service counters at Alderney Landing and Bayers Road will remain closed until further notice.

  • A number of services offered by 311 & the customer service centres remain available online, including the payment of parking tickets, zoning confirmation applications and applications for all permit and subdivision applications.

  • Legal documents and appeals will no longer be accepted in person at City Hall. Residents are asked to fax these documents to 902-490-4208 or send by email to clerks@halifax.ca.  

  • The Access & Privacy Office is advising potential applicants to expect delays in the processing of requests, as many municipal staff are working remotely and are not in a position to search for records responsive to requests. 

Halifax Public Libraries
Halifax Transit

Follow @hfxtransit on Twitter for the most up-to-date information regarding service disruptions.

As the province moves through its recovery phases, Halifax Transit has increased service levels in a phased approach while continuing to follow public health guidelines.

Access-a-Bus service levels will continue to be adjusted to meet the demand.

Bus service 

  • Bus service is operating on a regular schedule. 

Ferry service 

  • Alderney ferry service:
    • 15-minute frequency on weekdays from 7:15 a.m. – 8:15 p.m. and 30-minute frequency from 8:45 p.m. – 10:45 p.m.
    • 30-minute frequency on weekends from 6:30 a.m. – 10:45 p.m.
  • Woodside Ferry Service:
    • Will remain at 15-minute frequency on weekdays at peak periods (6:37 a.m. – 9: 37 a.m. and 2:37 p.m. – 5:22 p.m.). 30-minute service will continue through mid-day.

For full schedules, visit halifax.ca/transportation/halifax-transit/coronavirus.

Halifax Transit implemented the following measures to help reduce the spread of disease:

  • Mandatory masks: In keeping with the public health order, masks are now mandatory on all Halifax Transit buses, ferries and terminals.

    Please note: children under two and those with a medical reason for not wearing a mask are exempt.

    Transit riders are responsible for bringing their own masks.

    As part of a mask awareness campaign, Halifax Transit staff will continue to hand out masks periodically, through pop-up events at select locations across the municipality. Times and locations will be announced in advance, via @hfxtransit on Twitter.

    Those who are feeling ill are reminded not use any transit service until their health returns to normal.

  • Halifax Transit has been designated by the Province of Nova Scotia an essential service under the current provincial state of emergency. The two-metre physical distancing and physical gathering limits do not apply to Halifax Transit as stated in the provincial order. 
Halifax Water 
Parks & Recreation

The following is an update on municipal services with respect to Parks & Recreation.

As directed by the province, the following public health guidelines are in effect in the Halifax Regional Municipality, as of Monday, Feb. 8:

HRCE school bookings

The municipality coordinates facility bookings for all Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) schools for community and extracurricular school use. Bookings resumed on Jan. 11, 2021.

Facility bookings & rentals

Rentals at municipally-owned and operated recreation facilities, community centres and arenas continue. Organized clubs are able to host activities with cohorts of up to 15.

Recognized businesses and organizations are able to host events for 100 for indoor activities/events and 150 for outdoor activities/events.

Recreation programming, partner facilities, gyms & pools

Fitness facilities are permitted to operate at 75 per cent capacity while maintaining three metres between people during high-intensity activities.

Most municipally owned recreation centres, fitness centres, gymnasiums and pools have reopened. Please call your local recreation centre for more information.

Day camps and programs increased to cohorts of 15 (including staff and participants). This will take effect during registration for March Break programming: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/docs/COVID-19-Return-to-Day-Camp-Guidelines.pdf 

Residents are reminded they may continue to use REC at Home which offers a variety of activities that you can enjoy with your family - from arts and crafts, to at-home workouts.

Emera Oval

The oval is now open for the season with a number of new measures in place. Before attending, please visit halifax.ca/skateHRM for more information and latest updates. 

Spectator capacity increase

Spectators are once again permitted in municipally-owned facilities.

Although provincial guidelines allow for up to 100 spectators, not every venue can safely accommodate those numbers at this time. Staffing, configuration and size of the venue must be considered in each individual facility. Safety remains our top priority.

The following spectator capacities went into effect as of Monday, Feb. 8 for arenas:

  • BMO Rink D (100)
  • Halifax Forum Arena (100)
  • RBC Rink C (100)
  • Saint Margaret’s Centre – Fountain Rink (100)
  • Zatzman Sportsplex (100)
  • BMO Rinks A, B and C (50)
  • Centennial Arena (50) 
  • Cole Harbour Place Scotia 1 (85)
  • Cole Harbour Place Scotia 2 (35)
  • Eastern Shore Arena (60)
  • Halifax Civic Arena (75)
  • LeBrun Arena (50)
  • RBC Centre Rinks A, B and D (50)
  • Sackville Sports Stadium (50)
  • Saint Margaret’s Centre – Smith Rink (50)
  • Spryfield Arena (50)

Rental groups will continue to be responsible for COVID-19 screening and tracking. No food or drink is permitted and masks must be worn at all times.

Spectator numbers for other rentals are subject to facility capacity. Please contact your individual facility. Spectators are not permitted for school rentals.
Parking

If you are directed to self-isolate by Public Health, please make off-street parking arrangements for your vehicle. If your vehicle must remain parked on the street, park it in a legal area and call 311 to notify the municipality. If the winter parking ban is declared, you can still be towed at your expense.

Planning & Development 
  • An online form has been created for all permit and sub-division application intakes.
  • Applications for Rezoning, Municipal Plan Amendments, Development Agreements, or Downtown Halifax Site Plan Approvals can be submitted via email to Carl Purvis – Planning Applications Program Manager purvisc@halifax.ca.
  • Revised drawings and/or any amended application information for current files can also be submitted via email, directly to the planner assigned to your file. 
Public Safety Office 
  • The municipal Public Safety Office is advising residents that help is available for those experiencing or at risk of domestic violence. Following public health direction to stay home is crucial, but we know, that home is not always safe for everyone.
  • Available help for women and their children takes many forms, from supportive connections and outreach over the phone, information about safety planning and resources, to provision of emergency shelter and second-stage housing. In Halifax, organizations serving women continue to offer a wide range of support, guidance, and shelter to women and their children during this time. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, know that you are not alone. There’s help available to you.
    • If you’re in immediate danger, call 911.
    • If you need help or information, you can call Bryony House’s distress line at 902.422.7650.
    • To connect with community resources in Halifax, call 211 or visit their website.
Solid Waste
  • Waste collection is continuing as scheduled.

To learn more, click here. 

Employee Information

What you can do

  • For all information on COVID-19 testing, self-assessments and prevention, visit novascotia.ca/coronavirus 
  • Access 211 to find non-municipal community and social services available in your area at this time. This service is available 24/7 in 140 languages.
  • Residents can call 311 for updated information on municipal services.
  • Important reminder:  DO NOT call 911 for non-emergency purposes. Residents can call 311 and police non-emergency lines.