Officials with the region’s health unit, Southwestern Public Health (SWPH), announced that all businesses in its jurisdiction were instructed to mandate face masks or coverings in enclosed public spaces.
The instruction which was issued under the Reopening Ontario Act will take effect on Thursday, but businesses have until midnight of August 6 to have face mask policies in place thanks to a one-week grace period from the health unit.
Commercial establishments, public transit, and vehicles for hire are required to have two policies in place by that time, including one to ensure face coverings are worn by any person for the entire time they are on the premises.
They also have to implement a separate policy focusing on enclosed employee spaces that are not publicly accessible.
The second policy focuses on physical distancing, face coverings when physical distancing is not possible, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting, and requiring staff who are sick to stay home while advising they be tested for COVID-19.
The face mask requirements do not apply to schools, child-care centers, and providers as well as day camps as they are provincially regulated.
For an individual, a fine can range from $750 up to $100,000. With corporations, it may be up to $10 million for each day or part of each day on which the offense occurs or continues.
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Learn how to stay safe by enrolling in a mask fitting test which is a requirement for many workplaces and school admissions or the available masks for sale by visiting our face mask sale page.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200504-coronavirus-what-is-the-best-kind-of-face-mask
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/face-masks-importance-battle-with-covid19
https://www.livescience.com/are-face-masks-effective-reducing-coronavirus-spread.html