Brampton’s mask bylaw states that face shields don’t count as face-coverings

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Published July 15, 2020 at 1:58 pm

As of July 10, the City of Brampton approved a mask bylaw, making masks and face-coverings mandatory in all indoor public spaces. 

As of July 10, the City of Brampton approved a mask bylaw, making masks and face-coverings mandatory in all indoor public spaces. 

Amid the pandemic, plastic or “Plexiglass” face shields became a popular choice for a face-covering.

What Bramptonians may not know, though, is that under the City’s bylaw, plastic face shields don’t count and wearing them in public spaces could lead to a hefty fine.

“The advice from the medical officer of health is that in order to qualify as a face covering, it has to cover and be securely fastened to the face and cover the nose, mouth and chin,” said Diana Soos at a recent council meeting.

“Face shields wouldn’t be consistent with that, because there would be a gap, which would allow droplets to fall and which is precisely what we’re trying to avoid happening in order to stem the spread.”

At a recent conference, Mayor Patrick Brown stressed the importance of this mandatory bylaw, stating that this is no longer simply a “recommendation.”

Under the City’s new bylaw, those not wearing a mask in outdoor public spaces could face fines of up to $100,000.

While this is now a mandatory bylaw in the City of Brampton, which is expected to last until October, some people may be exempt from wearing them.

Children under the age of two and those who are unable to wear a mask due to medical conditions may be exempt from this bylaw. 

“When a person is not wearing a mask or refuses to wear a face covering, that person shall be required to identify that they are exempt, but they are not required to identify which exemption applies to them,” explained Soos.

This means that businesses are not allowed to question why an employee may be exempt from this bylaw. 

For more information on the City’s mandatory mask bylaw, visit www.brampton.ca.

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