Long lines could be a problem just before Christmas with capacity limits intended to slow the spread of COVID-19, so if you still have some shopping to do, you may want to stop reading and get going.
Supermarkets and shopping centers
Most grocery stores close at 6pm on Christmas Eve and then reopen on December 26.
If whoever is in charge overcooks the turkey, many restaurants are open, but it’s best to call ahead, especially with the COVID-19 restrictions that took effect recently.
Those restrictions mean that shopping malls and most other indoor public spaces have 50 percent capacity limits, including:
- Restaurants.
- Shopping centers and retailers, including supermarkets and pharmacies.
- Personal care services.
- Gyms
- Marinas and yacht clubs.
- Pharmacy.
- Indoor recreational services.
- Tour and guide services.
- Personal physical trainers.
- Strip clubs.
LCBO and Beer Store locations
All LCBO stores will close at 6pm on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day.
On Boxing Day, certain LCBO stores will be open.
Beer tent locations are open on Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas Day, and open from 11am to 5pm. M. At 5 p. M. The day of San Esteban.
City services
Green dumpster, recycling and garbage collection will not be delayed due to Christmas.
OC Transpo runs on a reduced Monday through Friday schedule on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, it operates on Sunday hours and the Para Transpo holiday service is in effect.
On Boxing Day, it runs on a Saturday schedule and Para Transpo continues with the holiday service. Mondays and Tuesdays also run on Sunday and Saturday schedules, respectively, due to the application of legal holidays. Details can be found here.
Christmas trees will be collected on the regular collection day. Remove all decorations. Christmas trees will not be collected in plastic bags or frozen in a snow bank.
The Ottawa Public Library will be closed on December 25 and 26. Check the hours of the nearby branches here.
Fun things to do
Many museums and art galleries are open during the holidays, but it’s best to check online or call ahead before you leave home because most operate on modified hours.
The Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum are closed to the public until at least January 19 due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in the region.
In a statement, museums said to check digital content online during this time.
Pools, stadiums and gyms will operate on modified hours during the holidays, including public swimming and fitness facilities.
Refrigerated outdoor skating rinks, including Dream Rink, Lansdowne Park Skating Rink, Ben Franklin Place Skating Rink, and Jim Tubman Chevrolet Skating Rink will be available for the holidays, which can be found here.
Shenkman Arts Center will be closed December 24-27.
COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Centers
The Ottawa COVID-19 Vaccine Reservation Line at 613-691-5505 will be closed on December 25 and 26 and will be open on December 27 and 28 from 8:30 a.m. M. At 4 p. M.
Although it’s the last thing anyone wants to think about during the holidays, the COVID testing clinics are up and running.
A complete list of Ottawa area testing clinics and the hours they operate is available here.
Other closures
Ottawa Animal Emergency and Specialty Hospital is closed due to COVID-19 exposure as staff members tested positive. If your pet has life-threatening conditions, they may be cared for with caution, but the hospital is redirecting patients in another way.
Alta Vista Animal Hospital and Ottawa Veterinary Hospital are also temporarily closed due to COVID-19 cases. Phone lines in hospitals are likely busy, so administrators suggested looking for updates online and on social media, and taking extra care to make sure pets don’t need emergency care this weekend.