The Hastings Prince Edward Public Health Unit is making masks mandatory at indoor commercial premises as of Friday at noon.
Under the province’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act Stage 2, businesses must operate in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials. To date, such instructions have included requirements for physical distancing, cleaning, disinfecting, and other sector-specific directions.
As an additional preventive measure, direction is being provided to businesses/commercial establishments operating in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties that, beginning July 10, 2020 at noon, policies must be in place to ensure that individuals entering indoor commercial premises are wearing non-medical masks/face coverings. Certain exemptions may apply to ensure that no individual is excluded from society if they are unable to wear a face covering.
HPEPH expects to work in partnership with local municipalities and businesses to enforce these requirements “in good faith”.
Businesses are being asked to develop these policies to reinforce existing public health recommendations to wear face coverings.
“Wearing a non-medical mask or face covering is an additional preventive measure that, when combined with other infection control efforts, will help further reduce the spread of COVID-19,” says Dr. Alexa Caturay, Acting Medical Officer of Health at HPEPH. “Clear policies in commercial establishments will help reinforce use of non-medical masks and face coverings. We are committed to working together with local municipalities and businesses to implement appropriate, proactive, infection control approaches and keep our community safe.”