By Shaun Penner

Mandatory Masks

Mandatory Face Covering (Mask) Bylaw triggered in City of Grande Prairie

Oct 26, 2020 | 3:38 PM

Having surpassed the threshold of 100 active cases of COVID-19 between the City and County of Grande Prairie on Monday, the City of Grande Prairie’s Temporary Mandatory Face Covering (Mask) Bylaw has come into force.

Bylaw C-1426 was passed back on September 8 by Grande Prairie City Council, which makes it mandatory for residents to wear a mask, or face covering, in all indoor, enclosed, or substantially enclosed public spaces and public vehicles, unless the person is separated from others by an installed screen, shield or other barrier.

The Bylaw was triggered as there are now 91 active cases of COVID-19 in the City as of the end of day October 25, while there are 15 active cases in the County, bringing the active total between the two municipalities to 106.

The Bylaw will remain in effect until the City and County have remained below 100 active cases of COVID-19 for 14 uninterrupted days.

Should the area surpass the 100 active case threshold again during that 14 day period, the Bylaw would be renewed, needing another 14 days to be withdrawn.

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Exemptions for residents to not have to wear a mask under the Bylaw apply to:

• Children under 2 years of age, or a child under the age of 5 who refuses to wear a face covering and cannot be persuaded to do so
• Those who are unable to wear a face-covering due to a medical or physical concern or limitation, or are protected under the Alberta Human Rights Act
• Those who are unable to place, use or remove a mask safely without assistance
• Those who are eating or drinking at a public place that offers food or beverage services, while seated in designated areas
• Those engaging in an athletic or fitness activity, including but not limited to running, water activities, or physical exercise
• Those who are a designated caregiver for or accompanying a person with a disability where wearing a mask would hinder the accommodation of the person’s disability
• Those engaging in services that require the temporary removal of a face covering in order to provide or receive a service
• Those who are sleeping or in bed at a homeless shelter.

The Bylaw does not apply at schools, hospitals, and health care facilities, or any portion of a public place of a building that is only accessible to employees and is not open to the general public. These include, without limitation, private offices, board rooms, washrooms, and facilities, according to the Bylaw.

Public vehicle operators are also exempt, as long as a physical barrier is in place, or physical distancing can be maintained from any person not required to wear a mask.

Anyone found to be in contravention of the Bylaw could face a $100 fine. Businesses not displaying adequate signage, making it clear the Bylaw is in effect, could be fined $200.