Coronavirus Disease | COVID-19

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

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

As part of the collective effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, municipal staff who can work from home have been directed to do so. 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.

Message from Mayor Mike Savage and CAO Jacques Dubé: Together, we’re facing a serious public health crisis. We need to listen and act on the direction of public health authorities. Simply put, by doing your part, you will help save lives. And while it is important that we remain physically apart from one another, we’ve never been stronger together than we are now, at this moment. Read more …

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

For all health related messages, please visit the Nova Scotia Health and Wellness website.

Video updates

Statements to residents 

Statements to municipal employees

Provincial state of emergency

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

Municipal staff continue to work with the province to align with recommendations of health officials and the provincial order.

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. 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.

  • To continue maintaining safe physical distancing, there will be virtual special meetings of Regional Council. The purpose of special meetings is to deal with matters as determined by the CAO and Mayor. More information, including how to watch online, can be found on our agenda page. 

  • Final deliberation and adoption of the 2020/21 budget took place on June 9. Given the impacts of COVID-19 on the municipality, all business units presented recast budget plans from those presented earlier in the year. More information can be found at halifax.ca/budget.
  • 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.
Burn Ban
Customer Service

  • As of Tuesday, August 4 the customer service centres at Alderney Gate and Bayers Road have reopened with regular hours to the public. The customer service centre at the Musquodoboit Harbour Recreation Centre & Library is open with reduced hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • 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 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.

  • Residents are reminded to follow all public health protocols while onsite, including physical distancing of 2 metres (6 feet) at all times.

  • 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. 

Finance

As a way to provide immediate relief to both residential and business customers, Regional Council has approved various changes to the tax system. To learn more, visit our COVID-19 and taxes in Halifax page and recast budget page. 

Halifax Public Libraries
  • All branches of Halifax Public Libraries have opened again to offer in-person services specific to their location. Click here for branch hours and information.
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.

Bus service increase - Monday, Aug. 31

  • Halifax Transit bus service will return to regular schedules as of Monday, Aug. 31.

Ferry service increase – Tuesday, Sept. 8

The following adjustments will go into effect on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

  • Woodside service will increase to 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 also be restored mid-day.
  • Alderney service will increase to 15 minute frequency on weekdays at peak periods (6:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.).

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

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

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.

  • Capacity increase: The mandatory use of masks and the installation of Polycarbonate shields will provide appropriate mitigation of risk associated with the spread of COVID-19. All capacity restrictions on buses, Access-a-Buses and ferries have been lifted as of Saturday, August 1.

  • Fare collection: Fare collection on buses and ferries resumed on Saturday, August 1 and passengers are once again be permitted to enter buses through the front doors.

    March and April passes will be honoured until August 31. Some retailers may also still have April passes for sale, which can continue to be purchased and used until the end of August. For all information regarding transit passes, including updated expiry dates, please visit our website.

  • 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 
Parking

The municipality had suspended the enforcement of paid and hourly parking across the municipality in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. As the province begins to ease restrictions and businesses resume operations, paid parking, hourly parking and enforcement are in effect.

Below is an update on impacted services: 

  • Permits: All residential and monthly parking permits that expired in March through to July will no longer be valid after Monday, August 31. Parking restrictions related to monthly and annual residential permits will be enforced effective Tuesday, September 1. Residents can renew monthly and annual residential parking permits at one of the municipality’s customer service centres, when they reopen to the public.

  • For more information about parking permits, please visit halifax.ca/parking.  

  • Time-restricted parking and loading: All time-restricted (one hr., two hr. etc.) parking and loading zones (temporary or permanent) are currently enforced. New temporary 15-minute parking zones have been installed to facilitate the short- term pick up needs of restaurants and other business.
Parks & Recreation

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

Parks, sports fields and courts

  • Group gathering public health restrictions outside of your group of 10 still apply to all sport fields, sport courts, ball diamonds and playgrounds. Physical distancing should continue to be maintained, and residents are reminded to follow all public health directives.
  • The municipality has opened grass sport fields for bookings consistent with our standard schedule and will also commence bookings of all-weather fields. All field users will need to follow their sport-specific ‘Return to Play’ activity plan which meets provincial health regulations in order to book a field. The standard municipal booking process will be followed and questions can be directed to facilityscheduling@halifax.ca 
  • Public washrooms in parks are now open. All washrooms receive daily cleaning.

Emera Oval

Public washrooms and first aid at the Emera Oval pavilion are now open. The facility will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from noon to 9 p.m. on weekends. Rentals will not be available until further notice; however residents are welcome to use the Emera Oval for cycling and rollerblading with their own equipment.

Indoor Pools

Staff have reviewed the details of the new guidelines from the province and have established a plan for reopening indoor pools that meets all public health requirements.

  • The Sackville Sports Stadium and the Captain William Spry Community Centre have reopened.
  • The Needham Community Centre will reopen on Tuesday, September 8.

The indoor pools will open for lane swims and aquafit classes only. It will not be possible to offer open swims at this time. To ensure all restrictions on group gathering sizes and physical distancing are maintained, all activities in the pool will be booked online. More details will be provided closer to the opening dates. The municipality will continue to explore options for further recreation opportunities as restrictions are eased by the province.

You are not required to wear a mask in the pool, but you must wear a mask at all other times in the facility.

Municipal partner recreation facilities (i.e. Canada Games Centre, Cole Harbour Place, Zatzman Sportsplex, etc.) have started the first phase of reopening. Please contact each facility directly for information about pool re-opening dates and protocols.

Outdoor Pools

Due to the time required to recruit and train lifeguards, the maintenance required to open pools and the restrictions of social distancing which drastically reduces the number of swimmers allowed in the pool at once, the Halifax Common, Bedford and Cole Harbour outdoor pools will not be opening for the 2020 season.

Splashpads, Beaches and Water Testing

All splashpads have reopened. 

All municipal beaches are open and lifeguards are on-site until August 31. Malay Falls beach is open, but will be unsupervised for the summer.

Municipal staff regularly test the water quality for bacteria levels at all supervised municipal beaches, as well as one unsupervised beach, during the summer months — this year from July 6 to Aug. 31. To view the status of beach closures due to high bacteria levels, click here.

More information and updates on beaches, pools and splashpads can be found on halifax.ca/summeraquatics

Recreation Programs and Day Camps

  • Following safety measures provided by public health, the municipality will be offering modified summer day camps from July 13 through to August 28, 2020. More information can be found online. 
  • Masks are not required at day camps where physical distancing can be maintained between cohorts. However, some staff and children may choose to bring and wear one
  • Recreation staff are sharing virtual activities on our Facebook page and are looking to expand on virtual offerings.
  • Provincial public health measures must be followed on all municipal properties. Residents are reminded that police are still authorized to issue tickets for violations under the Emergency Management Act and Health Protection Act. Parks are open for walking and exercise only. Organized sports and gatherings in violation of public health restrictions are not permitted. 
  • Residents are asked to stay within their own communities when visiting parks and green spaces, and to continue maintaining physical distancing.

Fitness Centres

Fitness Centres at the following municipal facilities are now open:

  • Captain William Spry Community Centre
  • Sackville Sports Stadium
  • Musquodobit Harbour Recreation Centre 

These locations were approved to open as they are the largest municipally-operated fitness facilities. All other fitness centres will remain closed until further notice, and staff will share reopening plans with the public once they are confirmed.

To keep patrons and staff safe, and to optimize access for as many patrons as possible, access to the fitness centre or attendance to a fitness class will be available by appointment only. Appointments may be booked over the phone or online through halifax.ca/myREC

Clients who had an active membership in March (and did not cancel their membership) will be able to pre-select their appointment times up to seven days in advance. Clients who did not have an active membership will be able to pre-book their appointments up to three days in advance. Access times vary dependent on location and activity. Please visit halifax.ca/myREC or contact the centres directly for more details. 

Other

The Youth Live Enviro Depot at 947 Mitchell Street is closed until further notice.

The 2020 Clam Harbour Beach Sandcastle Competition is cancelled. 

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.
  • Curbside collection of garbage and green carts will remain on a biweekly schedule for the months of July, August and September.
  • The Household Special Waste Depot program is suspended until further notice.
  • Future events will be evaluated on a month-by-month basis. Every attempt will be made to reschedule the cancelled events, conditions permitting.

  • The collection of residential refrigerant gas removal (CFCs) service has been suspended until further notice. 

  • Otter Lake is not accepting cash as a payment method at this time.
Halifax Mobility Response – Streets and Spaces 

In anticipation of the further lifting of Public Health restrictions, the municipality is preparing to implement adjustments to the transportation network, as part of the collective effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The municipality will focus on the following key areas:

  • Necessary adjustments to the transportation systems that will allow for the safe movement of people and goods
  • Safety of front-line workers while supporting both operational and remote workforces
  • Delivery and pick-up needs for restaurants and other establishments 
  • Adjustments to crowded areas, such as narrow sidewalks, to support safe physical distancing
  • Create clear messaging related to transportation recovery efforts

To learn more, click here. 

Employee Information

What you can do

  • Actively participate in the community effort to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Stay informed and follow the advice of your personal health care provider and governing bodies such as Public Health Agency of Canada regarding COVID-19.
  • Nova Scotia Health Authority has established COVID-19 assessment centres. If you need in-person assessment, 811 will refer you to a centre. Don't go to a COVID-19 assessment centre unless 811 referred you.
  • Exercise protective measures like regular, proper hand washing and staying home if you can. This is important to personal health and helps safeguard the health of others, particularly the most vulnerable in our communities. For more information on practising good hygiene, click here.
  • Maintain physical distancing. This means maintaining a physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) apart from one another and avoiding crowded places and non-essential gatherings. Greet one another with a wave or elbow instead of a handshake or hug.
  • Residents are encouraged to have no more than two weeks of supplies in the event that they have to self-isolate.
  • Access 211 to find non-municipal community and social services available in your area at this time. This service is available 27/7 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. 

Helpful health links 

Other resources

Halifax Partnership - COVID-19 Resources for your Business