MANDATORY MASK ‘REGULATION’ EFFECTIVE JULY 13 COULD BE BYLAW
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — If you haven’t got a mask — or worn one yet — it’ll be mandatory next week.
And the new “regulation” could cost you if you don’t.
The region’s top health official has ordered mandatory face covers for anyone entering a business or indoor public setting to fight the ongoing effects of COVID-19 cases, which the chief medical officer of health Charles Gardner says has seen a “limited resurgence” locally in recent weeks.
Effective next Monday, July 13.
And why?
Gardner says it’s because “voluntary compliance with mask use in indoor public places appears to be suboptimal at this time in Simcoe-Muskoka.”
In other words, few are wearing protective coverings and are at risk of infecting others who come in contact with you even when social distancing.
Also because there’s been a strong call from the public partners and politicians for him to do so, he says.
In a public letter Tuesday to municipalities in Simcoe and Muskoka (copied to the media), Gardner says “today I am providing instruction to the businesses and organizations … requiring persons within publicly accessible indoor locations, including public transit systems, to wear a face covering (i.e. a non-medical mask).”
He says he is drawing upon regulation O. Reg 263/20 s.4(2) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act R.S.O. 1990, as follows:
“The person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall operate the business or organization in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting.”
He urges he towns and cities “to advise those that you know of in your community.”
“With this approach, enforcement may be conducted by police officers as well as provincial offences officers (which includes municipal bylaw offers and public health enforcement personnel).
Gardner says: “My rationale for proceeding with this course of action at this time is as follows:
“As we proceed through the stages of the province’s plan to open the economy there is an increasing risk of resurgence of COVID-19 transmission in our communities.
“There have been very worrisome examples of resurgence internationally, and we have had some experiences of limited resurgence in Ontario (including in recent weeks in Simcoe Muskoka).”
He says in the release that with the summer Simcoe Muskoka “is experiencing the arrival of a large and increasing number of visitors from parts of the province with a much higher incidence of COVID-19, and with resultant crowding in public spaces.”
Gardner adds that there is emerging evidence, primarily based on ecological studies and modelling, suggesting that COVID-19 transmission rates can be reduced with a high level of population compliance of face covering/no compliance of face covering/non-medical mask use in conjunction with physical distancing, hand sanitation, and self-isolation and testing when ill.
“Voluntary compliance with mask use in indoor public places appears to be suboptimal at this time in Simcoe Muskoka.”
He says there has also been a high degree of support expressed from community partners, physicians, hospital leadership, some in the business community, and municipal CAOs and politicians for leadership from SMDHU to require face coverings/non-medical masks in indoor public places.
“It has been noted that with 26 local municipal councils it would be very hard to achieve a timely, consistent and comprehensive approach to this end through bylaws alone,” says Gardner.
“Thus I am proceeding with my instruction using this regulation.
“However bylaws in support of my instruction could be helpful, given that my instruction is only binding until the provincial emergency declaration is discontinued (next week), at which point further action on my part would be needed, depending on the situation at that time.
Gardner adds that if councils are interested in pursuing a bylaw, and SMDHU can provide assistance, they will.
“Thank you for the support that I have received related to this very important and challenging public health matter,” concludes Gardner.
“COVID-19 is the pandemic of our lifetime, and it takes the collective efforts of us all to protect our communities from it.”
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