The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) District Health Unit has updated its instructions on the requirement for non-medical masks in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and Haliburton County.
The health unit released the revised directive on Thursday (July 16) under the authority of Ontario Regulation 364/20 of the provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
The revised instructions now apply to any place of business or facility that is indoors and is open to the public under Stage 3 of the province’s reopening, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday (July 17).
The revised instructions come into effect at the same time as Stage 3.
Public spaces where indoor mask use is required under the health unit’s revised instructions include retail stores, churches and places of worship, public libraries, real estate open houses, personal care services (relating to the hair or body), restaurants and food courts, fitting rooms, driving instruction services, sports and recreation facilities, movie theatres, performing arts centres, casinos and bingo halls, and museums and cultural centres.
The revised directive also clarifies when masks do not have to be worn indoors in public spaces, such as when a person is “in place” and no longer “roaming” inside the space:
- In restaurants, patrons will not have to wear masks when sitting at their table, but would have to wear them when entering and exiting the restaurant and when walking around the restaurant (for example, goint to the washroom).
- In gyms and fitness clubs, masks will have to 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, or ceremonies, attendees will have to wear masks until seated with a secured distance of two metres (six feet) from others.
- At movie theatres, performing arts venues, and casinos and other gaming facilities, patrons will have to remain masked until they are seated with a secured distance of two metres (six feet) from others.
People who remain exempt from wearing masks indoors include children under two, children under five (either developmentally or in actual years) who refuse to wear masks, people who cannot remove a mask without help, and people with medical conditions such as respiratory disease or cognitive difficulties.
Further details are provided in the fact sheet below on the updated instructions.
“As more indoor public spaces open under Stage 3, it’s important we provide clarity and clear direction on the use of non-medical masks and face coverings for everyone in our community,” says Dr. Lynn Noseworthy, medical officer of health for the HKPR District Health Unit.
“We want to continue to work with businesses and facilities to ensure compliance with mask use, while also helping them understand why some people may not be able to wear masks due to age or medical reasons.”
Increasing scientific evidence supports wearing a mask when in enclosed public spaces as way to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Together with physical distancing, hand and cough hygiene, and staying home if sick, the use of a non-medical mask or face covering in indoor public places are all important measures to protect everyone from COVID-19,” Dr. Noseworthy adds.
Dr. Noseworthy is asking businesses and facilities to use their “best effort” to ensure patrons and members of the public wear a mask by pointing out the health unit instructions.
She says no one should be denied service if they cannot wear a mask, and encourages everyone to be understanding of those people who have a legitimate reason not to wear a mask.
“Let’s continue to be kind to each other and support everyone in the community as we work together to stop the spread of COVID-19,” she adds.
PDF: Required Use of Non-Medical Masks and Face Coverings within Indoor Public Places
Required Use of Non-Medical Masks and Face Coverings within Indoor Public Places
