**** HRM Media Release
Municipal Services, Enhanced Transit & Celebration Information for Natal Day Weekend 2020
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents of the following municipal program and service level adjustments for Natal Day weekend:
Solid Waste Collection and Facility Hours
No municipal solid waste collection service will take place on Natal Day, Monday, August 3. Curbside collection of garbage, organics or recyclables normally scheduled for August 3 will occur the preceding Saturday, August 1. Residents are reminded that collection service can begin as early as 7 a.m. To ensure pick up, residents may place materials curbside the evening prior to collection day.
The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility will be open on Saturday, August 1 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., but will be closed on Monday, August 3.
The Municipal Recycling Plant will be open on Saturday, August 1 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., but will be closed on Monday, August 3.
The Household Special Waste Depot in Bayers Lake will remain closed until further notice.
Due to the impacts of COVID-19, green cart collection will continue to take place every two weeks.
Sign up for weekly reminders and service alerts, or print a calendar customized for your address at www.halifax.ca/whatgoeswhere.
Halifax Transit Bus and Ferry Services
Friday, July 31:
- Buses and ferries will continue to operate on a reduced schedule as a result of COVID-19.
Saturday, August 1:
- Regular Saturday service (bus & ferry), plus 15-minute Alderney Ferry service from noon until 7:30 p.m. The final ferry departing from Alderney will be at 7:30 p.m. and the final ferry departing from Halifax will be at 7:45 p.m.
- Extra stand-by buses will be deployed throughout the network to accommodate additional passenger demand.
Please note: Fare collection on buses and ferries will resume on Saturday, August 1 and passengers will once again be permitted to enter buses through the front doors. All capacity restrictions on buses, Access-a-Buses and ferries will also be lifted as of Saturday, August 1. Learn more, here.
Sunday, August 2:
- Regular Sunday service (bus & ferry) – please see current schedules at http://www.halifax.ca/transportation/halifax-transit/coronavirus.
- Extra stand-by buses will be deployed throughout the network to accommodate additional passenger demand.
Monday, August 3:
- Holiday service (bus & ferry) – please see current schedules at http://www.halifax.ca/transportation/halifax-transit/coronavirus.
- Extra stand-by buses will be deployed throughout the network to accommodate additional passenger demand.
Buses and ferries continue to operate on a reduced schedule as a result of COVID-19.
For a full list of service disruptions as a result of the Natal Day weekend, visit http://www.halifax.ca/transportation/halifax-transit/service-disruptions.
Please note: In keeping with Public Health order, masks are mandatory on all Halifax Transit buses and ferries. The provincial public health order also states that masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces, including transit terminals, as of July 31. Those who are feeling ill are asked to not use any transit service until their health returns to normal.
Recreation Facilities, Programs and Services
Municipal beaches will be open to the public on Monday, August 3. There are 18 beaches across the region that are supervised by trained lifeguards, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. All splash pad locations will be open on Monday, August 3. For a complete list of supervised beaches, information on extended splash pad hours and up-to-date beach closures, visit www.halifax.ca/beaches.
A reminder that the outdoor pools at the Halifax Common, Bedford (Shore Drive) and Cole Harbour are not reopening for the 2020 season.
The Emera Oval pavilion will be open on Monday, August 3. Please visit www.halifax.ca/recreation/facilities-fields/emera-oval for a detailed schedule. A reminder that equipment rentals will not be available until further notice – residents are invited to bring their own equipment for cycling and rollerblading. Public washrooms and first aid at the Emera Oval pavilion will be available.
Many other municipally-operated recreation facilities will be closed on Monday, August 3. Residents are advised to call ahead to their respective facility for operating hours and program information. Contact information for municipally-operated facilities is online at www.halifax.ca/recreation/facilities-fields/rec-centres.
Please note: there will be no Natal Day fireworks this year at Birch Cove Beach in Dartmouth.
Parking
On-street parking meters will be free on Monday, August 3, however, motorists are reminded to abide by other posted signage, including no-parking zones.
Customer Service Centres
A reminder that on Tuesday, August 4 the customer service centres at Alderney Gate and Bayers Road will reopen with regular hours, and the Musquodoboit Harbour Recreation Centre & Library will reopen with reduced hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Planning & Development service counters will remain closed until further notice.
A number of services offered by 311 and the customer service centres remain available online, including the payment of parking tickets, zoning confirmation applications and applications for all permit and subdivision applications.
For more information, visit http://www.halifax.ca/home/311.
Civic Events
In accordance with the provincial Health Protection Act Order and public health guidelines, Natal Day celebrations, including fireworks, are cancelled this year.
Residents are encouraged to celebrate responsibly while following all public health guidelines. Have a safe and enjoyable Natal Day weekend.
