Mandatory Mask By-Law Comes Into Effect In Leamington

Hello time traveller!!
This article is 1351 days old.
The information listed below is likely outdated and has been preserved for archival purposes.

Leamington Council has passed a by-law making it mandatory to wear a cloth mask in indoor public spaces within the Municipality of Leamington.

This requirement is effective immediately and means that, with some exemptions, all persons, including staff, customers or visitors entering an indoor public space are required to wear a mask or face covering.

“Our community continues to fight against COVID-19, and Council’s decision to mandate masks in indoor public spaces ensures we protect our residents while helping our businesses recover and our economy grow,” said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. “This is a small sacrifice we can all make for the greater good of our community.”

The mandatory mask by-law applies to the following indoor public spaces:

• Transit vehicles
• Commercial establishments where goods and services are sold to customers, including retail stores; convenience stores; malls/plazas; restaurants; personal service settings; grocery stores and bakeries; gas stations; farmer’s markets; areas of mechanics’ shops/garages/repair shops which are open to the public; and car dealerships
• Community centres
• Libraries, museums, art galleries, theatres or performing arts centres
• Community service offices
• Banquet halls, convention centres, arenas, stadiums or other event spaces
• Laundromats
• Common areas, including: waiting areas, lobbies, service counters, washrooms, hallways, stairwells and elevators; unless such area is within a residential apartment building or condominium

The mandatory mask by-law does not apply to the following indoor public spaces:

• Schools and post-secondary institutions
• Day care centres
• Day camps for children
• Buildings or portions of buildings used for the training of amateur or professional athletes
• Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples or other places of worship
• Hospitals and independent health facilities
• Offices of regulated health professionals

The following are exempt from the requirement to wear a mask:

• A person under two years of age;
• A person that is two years of age or older, but under five years of age chronologically or developmentally who refuses to wear a mask and cannot be persuaded to do so by the accompanying parent or guardian;
• A person who is unable to wear a mask for medical reasons or who has a disability that prevents him or her from safely wearing a mask;
• A person who is providing care to or is otherwise assisting a person with a disability where wearing a mask would hinder the accommodation of that person’s disability

Under the by-law, all operators of public spaces in Leamington must have a policy regarding the wearing of masks that prevents people from entering or remaining within the public space without a mask. Additionally, operators must ensure that employees receive training in the requirements of the policy. Operators must enforce the policy and not permit anyone who is not exempt from wearing a mask from entering or remaining within the public space.