blue background with pink spikey balls on it

COVID-19 public health measures remain in effect for all Ontarians. All Municipal administrative buildings remain closed and limited recreational programs and activities are available, with modifications.
Refer to the What's Open list for details. 

The Municipality's response 

The health and wellbeing of residents and staff continues to be the Municipality’s highest priority. As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, we are collaborating and sharing information and resources with community partners to ensure preparedness. We are also regularly assessing operations and implementing measures, where required, to protect the health and well-being of the community. 

The Municipality's COVID-19 communications strategy

We have streamlined our COVID-19 communications strategy. This will address resident expectations of the Municipality’s approach to COVID-19 response and public reporting.

We will issue statements regarding COVID-19 if / when:

  • The Province changes our COVID-19 colour zone or restrictions to our local area.
  • Changes are made to facility operating hours or operations due to COVID-19.
  • The Health Unit declares an outbreak in a municipal facility.
  • A facility must be closed to the public, per orders from the Health Unit.

We will continue to take advice and direction from the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pineridge, District Health Unit staff on all matters related to COVID-19. The Health Unit staff are responsible for contact tracing and for notifying anyone who they deem a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19. The Municipality will not report these findings, unless asked to do so by the Health Unit.

Municipal updates

Vaccination information 

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is managing the vaccination roll-out in Northumberland County, which includes Port Hope. 

Click here for vaccination details

Free transportation to a vaccine appointment 

Community Care Northumberland will be providing transportation services to any Northumberland County senior who has an appointment booked. Individuals who have a scheduled COVID-19 vaccine appointment and require transportation can phone Community Care Northumberland’s transportation team at 1-866-768-7778 to register and request a ride to their appointment.

Click and Connect 

Have a question about COVID-19? The Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit has a new system that allows you to submit your questions electronically and receive a quicker response. 

Click and Connect to the Health Unit

 COVID-19 testing centres
There are two dedicated COVID-19 testing Centres within Northumberland County:

Visit Ontario Health Team - Northumberland

What's open

clip art of beach umbrellaPort Hope beaches

Municipal beaches are currently open, however physical distancing and social gathering limits still apply under the current public health measures. *Please note that the West Beach is temporarily closed for swimming only. See the Public Notice for details. 

clip art of dog after ballDog park

The Baulch Road Dog Park is open. Physical distancing measures and social gathering limits are still in place. 

field clip artSports fields and amenities

Sport and recreation fields and amenities, including soccer pitches, baseball diamonds, and the fitness park are open with restrictions. Outdoor fitness, personal training, and sports training are allowed with restrictions.  

clip art of a gazebo

Benches, Gazebos, Picnic Areas and Picnic Tables

Municipal benches, gazebos and picnic areas are open, with gathering limits in effect. 

 

clip art of person on skate boardSkate Park

The Municipal Skate Park is currently open. Physical distancing measures remain in effect. 

clip art of tennis racket and ballOutdoor Courts

Municipal tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts are currently open. Lights will not be available. Physical distancing measures remain in effect.

playground clip artPlayground Structures

Play structures are open. Note that play structures are not regularly cleaned or sanitized. It is recommended that playground users avoid touching their face and wash and/or sanitize hands immediately after use. There is no limit to the number of playground users, but physical distancing measures are still in effect. 

clip art of spitting waterSplash Pad

The splash pad is open, however physical distancing and social gathering limits still apply under the current public health measures.

clip art of person walking on trail in forestMunicipal Trails

Municipal trails are currently open.  

Fish hook iconFishing and Access to the River

Access to the River is open. Please refer to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry or the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority for fishing regulations.

clip art of boat launchBoat Launch

The municipal boat launch is open. 
 

clip art of busTransit

Municipal transit remains operational at reduced customer loads. The buses continue to be cleaned and sanitized regularly. 

clip art of open bookLibrary

The Mary J. Benson Branch (31 Queen Street) of the Port Hope Public Library reopens with limited capacity on July 5, 2021 and continues to offer contactless curbside service. Visit the Library website for details. 

clip art of building with flagMunicipal buildings

Municipal administrative buildings remain closed to the public at this time. This includes: Town Hall, Ruth Clarke Activity Centre for Seniors, Port Hope Community Hub, Tourism Office, the Joint Operations Centre, the Development Team Office. 

skate iconArena

The arena at the Jack Burger Sports Complex remains closed. More information will be shared, pending public health guidelines, in the fall.    

Icon of paint set and soccer ballPrograms

Limited indoor recreation programs will resume in a staged approach in July. Day camp continues to take place throughout the summer, until the end of August. Visit porthope.ca/recreation for details.  

icon of swimmerSwimming

Swim programming at the Jack Burger Sports Complex resumes in July. For details and registration, visit porthope.ca/aquatics.  

Ruth Clarke Logo Ruth Clarke Activity Centre

The Ruth Clarke Activity Centre for Seniors remains closed. Select virtual programming may be available. For updates, visit the Ruth Clarke Activity Centre webpage. 

clip art of parking meterParking

Pay parking lots and meters are available throughout the downtown. 

Facility closures

Please note that municipal facilities are closed to the public. Staff are working in the buildings, safely, or remotely from home.

Municipal building closures include:

  • Town Hall
  • The Fire Administration Office at Fire Station #1
  • Development Team Office (5 Mill Street South)
  • Joint Operations Centre
  • Tourism Office
  • Port Hope Community Hub 
  • Ruth Clarke Activity Centre for Seniors
  • Rural Area Public Works Yard
  • Cemetery Office

If you have an urgent request for a municipal service, please contact staff via email or phone during regular office hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Given this change in our usual customer service delivery, delays are to be expected for basic municipal services. We apologize for any inconvenience and will do our best to meet the needs of the community.

Business questions

Companies and workplaces that have questions about business closures can call Ontario’s Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

Public complaints/concerns

If you have concerns that a business or service is still open when it should not be, do one of the following:

Call the Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5006, if your complaint involves any of the following businesses/services:

  • Child Care Facilities
  • Recreational Camps
  • Personal Services Settings (including mobile and home-based settings)
  • Tanning Salons
  • Facilities Providing Indoor Recreational Programs Including Indoor Public Pools and Whirlpools
  • Food Premises, including restaurants
  • Theatres and Cinemas (including drive-ins)
  • Trailer Parks
  • Schools (Public and Private)

For any other type of business, report your concerns to your local police service using the non-emergency number. Do not call 911.

Employee concerns

If you have COVID-19 concerns or questions about your workplace, you should call the Ministry of Labour’s Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008.

Landlord/tenant issues 

Contact the Landlord Tenant Board at 1-888-332-3234.