Our Health Unit has updated its making directive for "commercial establishments" and indoor, public places:
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Indoor mask use now applies to any place of business or facility that is indoors and currently open to the public under Stage 3 . Public settings include: retail stores, churches/places of worship, public libraries, real estate open houses, personal care services (relating to the hair or body), restaurants/food courts, fitting rooms, driving instruction services, sports and recreation facilities, movie theatres, performing arts centres, casinos/bingo halls, and museums/cultural centres.
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While face coverings must be worn in most indoor places and situations open to the public, the exception is when patrons are ‘in place’ and no longer ‘roaming’ inside the premises. In the case of eating inside a restaurant, patrons would not have to wear masks if sitting at their table (entering, exiting and walking around the food premise would require masks). In gyms and fitness clubs, masks would be worn in change rooms, washroom and waiting areas, but not when people take part in an activity or sport. At indoor weddings, funeral services, or religious services/rites/ceremonies, attendees would have to wear masks until seated with a secured distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from others. Movie patrons and theatregoers would also have to remain masked until they were seated with a secured distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from others.
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People who remain exempt from wearing masks indoors include: children under 2; children under age 5 (developmentally or in actual years) who refuse to wear masks; individuals who cannot remove a mask without help; and people with medical conditions like respiratory disease or cognitive difficulties.
Businesses/facilities are expected to use “best effort” to ensure patrons and members of the public wear a mask by pointing out the Health Unit instructions.
No one should be denied service if they cannot wear a mask. However, everyone should try to be understanding of those individuals who have a legitimate reason not to wear a mask.
