COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
General information
Where can I get the most up-to-date health information about COVID-19?
Who should I contact if I have questions about COVID-19 and testing?
What are the requirements for masks/face coverings?
Effective August 19, 2020, a mask that covers the nose and mouth will be required in all indoor public spaces by order of the Mayor, pursuant to section 4(1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, including places of business, community centres, places of worship, entertainment venues and any common-use areas within a multi-use dwelling (such as lobby, elevator, laundry rooms and corridors). Exceptions are made for children and those with underlying medical conditions and to comply with the Ontario Human Rights Code.
How can I report COVID-19 related complaints?
Note: The use of 9-1-1 is for emergency situations where someone is in immediate danger. If you are calling regarding a non-emergency complaint during business hours of Monday to Friday (stat holidays exempted) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., complaints regarding COVID-19 related issues in Windsor can be directed via telephone to 311.
Stop the Spread Business Information Line: 1-888-444-3659
Price Gouging Complaint Line: 1-800-889-9768
Where can I find community supports during the COVID-19 pandemic?
While we cannot provide a comprehensive list of supports in our community, a good first step is to call 211, Windsor-Essex’s help line for community programs and services. See 211 Ontario: How to access help during COVID-19. Here is a brief selection of services offered by our community partners:
Windsor-Essex Seniors Call Assurance Program provides meaningful connections for seniors in isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Call 1-877-771-2677, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
If you or someone you know is a senior or person with a disability who doesn’t have the capacity to cook for themselves and requires a meal delivery of prepared meals, call the Windsor-Essex Food Helpline at 888-488-1578 for support (fees may apply).
Windsor-Essex Counselling Support Line offers help for anxiety, stress, fear and depression as the need for physical isolation in Windsor-Essex continues. Call 519-946-3277 or 1-877-451-1055.
What is happening with eviction orders?
Please note: Landlord/tenant relations are not governed by the City of Windsor, but the Province of Ontario offers the information below. For the latest updates, please check the Landlord and Tenant Board website.
- In response to the evolving COVID-19 public health situation, no new eviction orders will be issued until further notice, and sheriff's offices will postpone any scheduled enforcement of current eviction orders.
- The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) has reviewed the appropriate approach to conducting hearings, and until further notice the LTB is suspending:
- All hearings related to eviction applications, unless the matter relates to an urgent issue such as an illegal act or serious impairment of safety; and
- The issuance of eviction orders, unless the matter relates to an urgent issue such as an illegal act or serious impairment of safety.
- Hearings related to eviction applications will not be scheduled at this time.
- Tenants must continue to pay rent while an eviction order is not being enforced.
Planning, Response and City Services
What are the changes to Transit Windsor's services?
Protective barriers have been installed on all Transit Windsor buses. Transit Windsor returned to front-door boarding and fare collection as of October 26, 2020.
Riders are encouraged to board at the front door and exit at the rear door (with the exception of those with mobility needs who may exit at the front door).
Fare media, including the re-loading of Transit Windsor Smart Cards is available at the Transit Centre (3700 North Service Road East) and Windsor International Transit Terminal (300 Chatham Street West). Capacity limits are in place, and all customers and vendors entering either facility are required to fill out a screening and contact tracing form. See
Transit Windsor hours of operation. The mandatory mask policy remains in effect indefinitely, and bus capacity will be limited to seated loads only (no standees) to allow for physical distancing on board.
Effective Tuesday, September 8, Transit Windsor began operating on an enhanced Saturday schedule, as well as offering secondary school extras, while adhering to public health guidelines to support the health and safety of drivers and riders alike.
Are City recreation facilities closed?
On November 30, the City suspended all indoor recreational services in pools, arenas and community centres for a two-week period in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. Grey Zone restrictions will force the continued suspension of these services, which will be in place until such time as restrictions are downgraded.
In consultation with Windsor’s Medical Officer of Health, After-school programming in City facilities will close effective Monday December 14, 2020, which falls in line with the ordered closure of all elementary and secondary schools. After School Programming will resume once the Health Unit directive on schools is lifted.
Tenants leasing space in City facilities for after-school programs will not be permitted to operate under the current restrictions. Tenants leasing space to operate other businesses deemed “essential” by the Province will continue to have access to their space.
What's happening with the Provincial Offences (POA) Courts?
The POA courts
are operating remotely, with the exception of trials, which have been administratively adjourned. Some in-person POA court services remain available by appointment only. For urgent requests, please email
poa.tickets@citywindsor.ca.
See our Provincial Offences web page and the Ontario Court of Justice web page for further information and updates. Will refunds be provided for memberships and programming?
Are City parks still open?
- Parks, trails, green spaces, playgrounds, outdoor sports courts and tobogganing hills remain open for informal recreation purposes, but users are asked to please observe social distancing. Provincial guidelines for gatherings must be observed.
- Outdoor Skating Rinks will remain closed while the city is in the grey-lockdown stage of the pandemic.
- Some washrooms that are in winterized buildings – Malden Park Visitor Centre, Riverfront at North Assumption Park, Caron Ave, Bistro/Dieppe, Festival Plaza, Charles Clark Square and Jackson Park – will remain open from 8:00am to 8:00pm daily.
- The Parks Operations Department will make the necessary changes to snow removal in order to re-prioritize facilities that remain open for the delivery of services.
Are public washrooms in parks open?
Park washrooms will be closing for the season through October and early November. However, the following washrooms will remain available:
- Malden Visitors Centre
- Jackson Park - Queen Elizabeth II Sunken Garden
- Reaume Park (weather permitting)
- Ambassador Park
- Caron Avenue
- The Bistro
- Charles Clark Square
- Festival Plaza
Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. However, some locations start to close as early as 7 p.m. as staff cycle through.
Is parking still being enforced?
While in the provincial grey COVID-19 protocol, meter parking is free for 15 minutes when using the Passport Parking App. This is an effort to help with take-out restaurant orders. The app can be used once every six hours.
With the exception of the free 15 minutes mentioned above, regular enforcement of parking at street meters continues as normal. Please follow the times laid out at the meters and on signage in municipal lots and garages, and pay the appropriate amount for the time you need to park.
Effective December 14, the Public Works Office at 1266 McDougall Street is closed to public entry and no longer providing in-person services, but other options remain in effect for customers. See below.
Services offered at 1266 McDougall Street include:
Parking penalty dispute forms may be found online or picked up from the appropriate mailbox in front of 1266 McDougall and may be returned in the same location.
For new or expired residential parking permits, please call 519-255-6298 for updated information.
Monthly pre-set parking lot fee payments will continue as normal. For new requests, please call 519-255-6247 for updated information.
Is garbage and recycle still being collected?
While garbage and recycling collection are continuing as normal, we would ask that residents keep 6 feet away from collectors. Also, all garbage related by-laws still apply, i.e. must be in acceptable containers, can not be overflowing, must be under 44lbs, etc.
Public Drop-Off Depot will remain open at limited capacity to ensure social distancing. Delays can be expected. The rodent program will continue; street sweeping program and litter bin collections are operating on a reduced service level; and special event services will not be offered.
Can I donate medical supplies?
- Effective August 28, the donation centre located at WFCU Centre will no longer be accepting donations. The City of Windsor would like to say than you to all the residents and businesses that donated medical supplies when the COVID-19 pandemic hit our community. See news release, City says Thank You for Medical Donations.
Are the Public Drop-Off and Household Chemical Waste Depots open?
Is there any way to access libraries?
- While all library buildings are closed, there are many ways to access the library:
Can I still obtain a marriage licence or have a civil ceremony?
What City services can I access online?
Are City Council and committee meetings still taking place?
Windsor City Council will return to a virtual only format for the next scheduled Council meeting on Monday, October 19, 2020.
Council and administration tested a combination of virtual and in-person meetings over the past few weeks, however, with the threat of a second wave of COVID-19, the benefits of in-person attendance for council meetings simply aren’t there right now. This will be re-assessed on a meeting by meeting basis.
Please refer to the following resources to help stay on top of the latest updates:
Precautions
What precautions can I take to protect from COVID-19?
- The precautions to protect yourself against COVID-19 are the same as those used to protect against common respiratory illnesses, such as the flu. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19.
- Members of the public are advised to take the usual measures to reduce the risk of transmission of respiratory illness, which include:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
- Stay home when you are ill.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the garbage and wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm.
- Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are frequently touched.
- At this point in time, there is no need to wear any mask unless you are symptomatic or taking care of a suspect case of COVID-19. It is recommended that you follow usual health precautions above and follow the instructions provided by health care facilities.
What do I do if I or someone I know have to self isolate?
The Government of Canada and Public Health Ontario offer the following helpful resources for situations where self isolation is required:
How do you properly wash your hands?
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- To get properly germ-free hands, you need to lather them up with soap, and scrub for at least 20 seconds (about the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice) under clean, running water.
- Ensure to rub the front and back of your hands, and between fingers.
- Dry your hands properly, preferably with paper towel.
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Will the City continue to expect my 2020 Property Taxes to be paid?
- Final property tax bills have been prepared and mailed. The first instalment date has been delayed by one month to August 19, 2020. If you have not received your bill by August 4, 2020 please call 311 or e-mail propertytax@citywindsor.ca Due to interim tax relief measures that deferred the last interim instalment from April 15, 2020 to June 30, 2020, the first instalment date for the Final tax bill has been delayed by one month to August 19, 2020.
- The second the third instalments dates are similar to prior years being September 16, 2020 and November 18, 2020.
- Pre-authorized payments plans (10 month plan) will commence in August 2020 and will run through the month of December 2020.
How can I get caught up on my property tax payments?
- The City offers payment plan arrangements to assist property owners in bringing their account balance up to date.
- The City also offers a tax relief program for residents (conditions apply).
- To request assistance, e-mail propertytax@citywindsor.ca
How can I pay my property taxes without attending City Hall or my financial institution?
- Property tax payment can be made using these alterative methods:
- On-line via internet or telephone banking. Set up the City of Windsor as a bill payment using the Roll Number as the account number (15 digits that follow 37-39).
- One of three pre-authorized payment plans. Forms can be found on our Paying Your Taxes page and can be submitted electronically to propertytax@citywindsor.ca or faxed 519-255-7310.
- Mail a cheque to The City of Windsor – Taxation Department, 350 City Hall Square West, Suite 410, Windsor, ON N9A 6S1
How can I get information about my property taxes?
- 311 is able to answer general property tax enquiries and will create a service request if a more detailed response is required. Alternatively questions can be e-mailed to propertytax@citywindsor.ca. Information including the following can also be found using the MyProperty Tax e-service. Registration is required.
- You can access your account by clicking Sign In or Registration if you do not have an account.
- Services include:
- Review history of tax account
- Enrol in pre-authorized payment plan
- Request information or submit changes
What if I am selling or purchasing a property?
- Your lawyer should be advising our office at the time that the transaction has closed. Documents can be e-mailed to propertytax@citywindsor.ca or faxed 519-255-7310. Changes to ownership will be made as time permits.
How can I register for, change or cancel my pre-authorized payment plan?
What if I have made an overpayment or am expecting a refund?
- Generally, any amounts that result in a credit to your property tax are retained on your account to offset future taxes. Should you require a refund, a request in writing must be made and e-mailed to propertytax@citywindsor.ca. Refunds will be processed on an as needed basis.
For general tax inquiries call 311 or email propertytax@citywindsor.ca.