As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the City of Belleville is taking action to ensure that the safety of our residents is at the forefront. Efforts are being taken across the Province to reduce further exposure of the virus. We continue to follow the lead of our local health officials and our governments to ensure we are doing all that we can to protect our community. For up-to-date information on the goverments' response to COVID-19, please visit the federal and provincial governments' websites. For ongoing COVID-19 updates in our community and ways to best protect you and your family, please visit Hastings Prince Edward Public Health's website.
Impacts to City Services
COVID-19 Information
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic locally and beyond. For information on testing, ways to protect yourself, local cases and more, please visit their 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) page. On April 23, they launched an online dashboard to provide residents with case-specific details as they track them. Every effort is being made to update the list daily by 2 p.m.
Facility Closures
City Hall is open by appointment only. Those who require in-person service to obtain marriage licenses or building permits are asked to call 613-968-6481 ahead of time and book an appointment.
The Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre, Glanmore National Historic Site and the Belleville Public Library are closed to the public. More information and COVID-19 protocols are available on their websites.
Cancellations
All City events have been cancelled until further notice.
The following activities through the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre have also been cancelled:
- Recreational swims
- Aquafit
- Swimming lessons
- Advanced aquatic courses
- Private pool rentals
- Ice/floor bookings
- Pickleball
- Table tennis
- Badminton
- Parkinson’s Big Movement Exercise Program
All indoor fitness classes will move to virtual programming through Zoom, where possible. Clients are being contacted to confirm participation.
The free Speaker Series and Learn and Create programs will continue to be offered virtually along with the Fun on the Phone program. Youth workshops will continue as scheduled on Zoom.
All outdoor park and sport field bookings are cancelled until further notice.
What's Open
Take-away lunches (soup, sandwich, fruit, snack, drink) are being distributed at Bridge Street United Church everyday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., free of charge to anyone in need. Distribution takes place via their 60 Bridge St. East entrance. Due to COVID-19, a traditional sit-down meal will not be served through the ‘Inn from the Cold’ program this winter. The ‘TGIF’ frozen meal pick-up program will continue every Friday during lunch distribution from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. These programs are considered essential and continue to operate in the current lockdown period. Policies and procedures are in place to reduce the risk of transmission for guests, volunteers and staff.
The City of Belleville has put together two GIS-based platforms to enable residents to quickly determine which restaurants are open for business and where they are located within the city. The first is an online map, where people will be able to search for restaurants near their location. The second is a storyboard, where restaurants will be listed alphabetically.
United Way Hastings & Prince Edward have put together a great list of grocery stores offering pick-up, delivery and senior hours. Find the updated list for each region on their website.
Health Services
There are a number of clinics offering online and telehealth services during this time for those who wish to remain at home:
- Great Lakes Walk-In Clinic Belleville - Telemedicine (nurse and teleconference with doctor) - 613-967-9595
- Good Doctors Walk-In Clinic - Telemedicine (nurse and teleconference with doctor) - 613-779-0990
- Kente OTN - Telemedicine (nurse and teleconference with doctor) - 613-779-5787
- MCI The Doctor's Office (Toronto) - Online and Telemedicine - mcithedoctorsoffice.ca
Addictions and Mental Health Services Hastings Prince Edward is operating an Addictions and Mental Health Pandemic Helpline for those experiencing difficulties coping with their mental health or substance use issues during this time. The line will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and those wishing to connect with a professional can do so by calling 613-967-4737.
The Crisis Intervention Centre out of Quinte Healthcare Corp Belleville General Hospital, continues to operate its 24-hour Counselling Line at 613-969-7400, ext. 2753 or toll-free at 1-888-757-7766.
Children's Mental Health Services is running phone-in clinics from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday at 613-966-3100. They also have a 24/7 crisis line available at 613-966-3100. Youth 18+ in crisis are asked to call Quinte Health Care at 613-969-7400. Current CMHS clients should contact their worker directly or by using the staff directory at 613-966-3100. If you are not sure who your worker is, someone can connect you.
COVID-19 Archives
Are you writing a diary or taking photographs during the current pandemic situation? Archives around the world are working to collect their community’s stories and experiences of the COVID-19 epidemic and lockdown, and the Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County is no exception. If you would like to add your materials to the Community Archives collection to form part of our area’s record of these events, we want to assure you that there is a safe home for your materials right here in Belleville.
We can keep items closed to the public for a particular period of time if you would like us to, or we can make them available immediately to share: it is entirely up to you. Get in touch with our archivist, Amanda Hill, at archives@cabhc.ca if you have any questions about donating materials, or if you would like to send us your digital photographs, memoir, or other record documenting the experience of COVID-19 in our community.
Transit
Belleville Transit has resumed fare collection and front-door boarding. Fare can be purchased at participating locations throughout the city or online using the B-TAP mobile pay app. We also accept cash fare (coins only) or tickets.
Transit is an essential service for our community and has continued to run throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Belleville Transit has returned to its regular scheduled service. Routes and schedules are available on the Transit page on the City’s website.
If you are ill or exhibiting any symptoms, please do not board the bus. Residents are reminded to practice recommended hygiene etiquette while utilizing transit including:
- Wear a mask or face covering at all times
- Cough and sneeze into the bend of your arm, not into your hand
- Practice social distancing where possible by maintaining a distance of two metres
- Stay home when you are sick and avoid contact with other people until your symptoms are gone
- Washing hands as soon as possible or once you’ve reached your destination
Parks
City parks and playgrounds remain open at this time. Residents are encouraged to use trails and outdoor spaces safely while practising physical distancing.
Those with concerns regarding COVID-19 restrictions not being followed are encouraged to contact:
Belleville Police Service:
- https://www.police.belleville.on.ca/
- 613-966-0882
City Bylaw Enforcement:
- https://building.belleville.ca/cityviewportal
- bylawenforcement@belleville.ca
- 613-967-3200 ext. 3332
Utilities
The COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) provides a one time, on-bill credit to eligible residential electricity and natural gas customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments. See if you qualify here: elexiconenergy.com
The COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) is a new program to help small businesses and registered charities with their energy bills. See if you qualify here: elexiconenergy.com
If you are concerned about paying your Elexicon bill, are experiencing hardship or have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, please call them at 905-420-8440 or 1-888-420-0070 to discuss extended bill payment options and financial assistance programs.
Waste
Green Bin
Please do not include loose tissues and paper towel in the green bin. For the safety of collectors, we encourage residents to use a liner for their compost bins and bag all waste that you put in the green bin.
Recycling
Residents are reminded that only clean, recyclable materials are accepted in the blue box program. If any of the following items are in your blue box, it will NOT be collected:
- Kleenex
- Tissues
- Sanitary wipes (i.e. baby wipes, alcohol wipes)
- Medical waste of any kind (sharps, gloves, face mask, medication)
- Food waste
Quinte Waste Solutions is asking that residents in self-isolation either store recyclables until the isolation period has ended or carefully place all material into garbage bags and utilize their regular garbage collection day for disposal. For more information and further updates, visit the Quinte Waste Solutions website.
Garbage
The City of Belleville would like to advise residents that tags are required for all bags placed to the curb for pick-up. Tags can now be purchased online. Residents are asked to bag all waste and not place loose materials in your garbage bin.
Hazardous Waste
The Hazardous Waste Depot will be closed for the duration of the province-wide shutdown. Visit quinterecycling.org for more information.
Leaf & Yard Waste
The Leaf and Yard Waste Depot located at 75 Wallbridge Cres. is now closed for the season.
Bulky Item Collection
Bulky item collection will continue as usual each Friday. Pick-up can be arranged online before 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays for pick-up that Friday. Having trouble access the form? Contact us at 613-967-3275.
Parking
Paid parking has resumed throughout the city. Monthly permits are available at City Hall Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please note that winter parking restrictions remain in effect from 1 to 6 a.m. until April 14.
The City of Belleville offers a number of payment options for parking tickets that do not require in-person payment.
Online Services
During this time, residents are encouraged to access online City services:
- Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre FAQ
- Belleville Public Library Resources
- Property Tax Portal and Utilities Portal
- Building Permit Applications
- Bylaw Complaints
- Public Works Concerns
- Council and Planning Advisory Committee Livestreams
- Parking Ticket Payment Portal
- Marriage Licenses
- Other Payment Options
Payments
During their Jan. 25 meeting, Belleville City Council approved the deferral of the first two 2021 tax instalment payment dates, effectively adding one month to each due date. The first interim instalment due date originally scheduled for Feb. 24 was due March 29. The second interim instalment due date originally scheduled for April 28 is now due May 27.
Applications are open for the new Ontario Small Business Support Grant. The grant will provide up to $20,000 for eligible small businesses affected by the Provincewide Shutdown, with a minimum of $10,000. Ontario.ca/COVIDsupport
Small business and registered charity customers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can now apply for the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB). Launched by the Government of Ontario and delivered by Elexicon Energy, the program provides a one time, on-bill credit to customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments.
The Government of Ontario is making $9 million available to support residential customers struggling to pay their energy bills because of COVID-19. The COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) provides a one-time, on-bill credit to eligible residential electricity and natural gas customers to help them catch up on their energy bills and resume regular payments. For more information, including eligibility requirements and on-bill credit amounts, visit oeb.ca/ceap.
Other Payment Options
The following options are available for property taxes, water utility bills, accounts receivable invoices, parking tickets and dog tags:
- Financial Institution Payments – Telephone / Online Banking
- Pre-authorized Payment Plans
- Online Services - Credit Card Payments
- Drop Box
Please visit our Payment Options page for further details.
Employment
Looking for employment? Trying to fill positions due to high demand? Find the latest update on the City's Work in Belleville program.
Avoiding Back-Ups
The Canadian Water and Wastewater Association is reminding residents to think about what they flush down their toilets. Find their latest release for more information.