Photo: Town of Whitecourt

By Erika Chorostil

Whitecourt

Face coverings now mandatory in the Town of Whitecourt

Nov 17, 2020 | 11:03 AM

Masks or other face coverings are now mandatory in the Town of Whitecourt in all indoor, enclosed public spaces, as well as within public vehicles.

On Monday, Whitecourt Town Council gave third reading and adopted Temporary Mandatory Face Coverings Bylaw 1560.

The bylaw is effective as of November 17th, and will remain active for a period of 30 days following the removal of the Provincial “watch” status. Whitecourt is currently designated a “watch” zone by Alberta Health Services with 18 active cases and eight recovered.

The Town of Whitecourt says the practice of wearing a face covering or mask will complement other prevention and public health measures that the Town has been promoting to the community, including physical distancing, cohorting, good hand hygiene, staying home when sick, and increased cleaning of surfaces.

The following exceptions are identified in the bylaw:

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• Children that are 5 years old and younger;
• People unable to wear a face-covering due to a mental or physical concern or limitation, or protected ground under the Alberta Human Rights Act;
• People consuming food or drink in designated seating areas or as part of a religious or spiritual ceremony;
• People engaged in water activities or physical exercise;
• People providing care or assistance to a person with a disability where a face covering would hinder that caregiving or assistance;
• People engaged in water activities or physical exercise;
• People providing care or assistance to a person with a disability where a face covering would hinder that caregiving or assistance;
• People engaging in services that require the temporary removal of a face covering;
• Areas exclusively accessed or used by the Public Place’s employees or a Public Vehicle operator provided that physical barriers or physical distancing practices are implemented between any person not required to wear a face-covering by operation of this exception and any other person.

The bylaw does not apply to the following places: schools, post-secondary institutions, daycares and childcare centres governed by the Child Care Licensing Act, hospitals, and health care facilities.

The penalty for failing to follow the bylaw is a fine of not less than $100.

Information for businesses, including posters that can be printed and displayed at store entrances, and frequently asked questions for all community members are available on https://www.whitecourt.ca/COVID-19.

(My Town Today)