LONDON, ON -- As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread globally measures are being taken here at home at all levels of government to help stem the spread of the virus.

As a result many public spaces and business are closed or affected. While the information is moving quickly and changing day to day here is our updated list for closures in the London area.

Effective Monday, March 16, the City of London states a number of city programs and facilities will be closed including:

  • community centres
  • arenas
  • recreation and sport programming
  • community rentals
  • March Break day camp programs

Covent Garden Market will close as of Wednesday at 6 p.m. with plans to reopen on April 6.

Boler Mountain has officially closed for the season, and city-owned golf courses have no current plans to open.

All public libraries in London and Middlesex Centre will be closed including events, programs and room rentals.

The London Children's Museum and Museum London are closed to the public for the time being.

Many activity-based businesses like The Factory and Junction Climbing are closed to the public starting this week.

All GoodLife and Fit4Less clubs across the country are closed, with payments being suspended for members.

All OLG casinos are also closed.

           -- Here's what else is closed across the country --

All local sports including the OHL and NBL have been suspended. Minor sports leagues have also been cancelled or suspended and the BMO Centre is closed until further notice.

Via Rail is reducing service through the Quebec City - Windsor corridor by 50 per cent.

The Anglican Diocese has suspended church services, while the Catholic Diocese cancelled over the weekend and will continue to monitor for the coming weeks.

The Stratford Festival has cancelled performances and events until May. Meanwhile all Ontario Casinos are also closed indefinitely.

The Grand Theatre has decided to suspend all productions and events. Performances at Budweiser Gardens, including Baby Shark Live! are postponed as well.

The Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts has cancelled its next two events.

Early Sunfest concerts scheduled March 18 and 28 have been cancelled, while the Laila Biali concert on April 3 has been postponed.

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has also suspended operations, with only urgent civil, family and criminal matters being heard.

The London Abused Women's Centre has temporarily suspended all in-office appointments and meetings, as well as, drop-in and child care services.

The Sports Celebrity Dinner has been cancelled for 2020, with the next event now taking place April 2, 2021.

The London Economic Development Corporation has postponed their London and Area Works Job Fair scheduled for April 21.

Goodwill is closing most of its operations across Ontario.

Foreign flights will no longer permitted to land at London International Airport as of Wednesday, with the exception of flights from the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. Other international flights can only land at Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver airports.

Tim Hortons is among the first restaurants to announce it will provide drive-thru, take-out and delivery only. A number of other restaurants and retailers are also closing doors or reducing services.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit on Monday recommended that all bars, dine-in restaurants, night clubs and theatres close as soon as possible and remain closed for two weeks, while takeout and delivery options be maintained.

It's unclear how quickly businesses will follow the recommendations, but patrons may want to call ahead if they have any immediate plans.

It is however, likely to be a very subdued St. Patrick's Day, with city-run and private events being cancelled.

School closures

  • all publicly funded schools are closed until April 6
  • Western is switching all classes to online
  • Fanshawe moving to online classes until at least April 6

Police service changes

Woodstock police have followed the lead of London police and are restricting or modifying some non-emergency services.

People are asked to avoid attending police headquarters unless absolutely necessary, and no in-person record check applications or in-person Freedom of Information requests are being accepted.

Anyone attending headquarters, or requesting the presence of an officer at a location, can expected to be screened for COVID-19 risks, and some calls may be processed by phone or online instead of in-person.