Halton Regional Council Approves Amendments to Mandatory Mask Bylaw

Halton Regional Council
Written By

*Please see below a media release issued by the Region of Halton.The Regional Municipality of HaltonFor Immediate ReleaseSeptember 22, 2020On September 16, 2020, Halton Regional Council approved multiple amendments to the Mandatory Mask By-law, where it is mandatory to wear a face covering or non-medical mask in certain indoor public places across the region. These amendments were made to provide further clarification and requirements related to age, employees working in designated staff areas and enclosed common areas in apartment/condominium buildings. Amendments to the by-law take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23, and remain in effect until November 30, 2020, unless extended by Regional Council.

"Halton Region’s Mandatory Mask By-Law continues to be an important part of our community effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. These amendments were based on feedback received from the Halton community to ensure there is a consistent by-law in place across the region and further protect each other during the pandemic. Thank you to all residents and businesses who continue to take this pandemic seriously and follow public health direction." -- Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr

Key amendments to By-law 47-20 include:

  • clarification that every person aged five (5) years old or older is required to wear a non-medical mask or face covering in certain indoor public places;
  • the requirement that employees working within a designated staff area (not for public access) need to maintain a physical distance of two metres from colleagues; and
  • the addition of enclosed common areas of apartment or condominium buildings, including the lobby, elevator, laundry room, meeting rooms or other common use facilities as “public places”.

"Halton Region Public Health continues to urge residents to follow all public health measures and remain vigilant to reduce the severity of a second wave of COVID-19. In addition to wearing a mask in indoor public places, please continue to physically distance, wash your hands often, limit non-essential social gatherings and stay home when you are sick (even with mild symptoms)." -- Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health

It is important to remember that some individuals are exempt from the by-law. As the by-law continues to be in effect, Halton Region reminds residents to continue being kind and supportive of others in our community who may be exempt. Every person’s situation is different and not all exemptions may be visible. The provision that no person shall be discriminated against for not wearing a non-medical mask or face covering due to an exemption, remains in the by-law.To learn more about the recently amended by-law and what it means for you, please visit halton.ca/COVID19, the Reopening Halton Region webpage, email acceshalton@halton.ca or call 311.Media Contact:John WinkelsCommunications AdvisorCommunications & Customer ServiceHalton Region905-825-6000, ext. 74901-866-442-5866john.winkels@halton.ca—PLEASE NOTE: To stay updated on what the City of Burlington is doing regarding COVID-19, please visit the dedicated pages burlington.ca/coronavirus (and subscribe) and bit.ly/mayormeedwardCOVID19updates, and our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page — bit.ly/COVID19BurlingtonFAQ that are updated as new information becomes available.A Burlington COVID-19 Task Force has been created to help support our community through this unprecedented emergency — updates will be provided at burlington.ca/COVID19taskforce.To report an incident of non-compliance with provincial emergency orders, please contact the Halton Regional Police Service COVID-19 Hotline: 905-825-4722.We’ve also created a dedicated page to feature the local organizations and businesses that have inspired us during the COVID-19 pandemic by taking action to support our community in new and creative ways — head to bit.ly/covidwallofinspiration.HELPFUL RESOURCES & RELATED LINKS:

—*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist

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