Masks mandatory in indoor public spaces in Chatham-Kent

Media Release                                                                              

August 11, 2020

Masks mandatory in indoor public spaces in Chatham-Kent

Chatham-Kent Council Monday night voted to make the wearing of masks in indoor public spaces mandatory as of 12:01 A.M on Friday, August 14.

Following a nearly one-hour long discussion, Council approved a bylaw to mandate masks and to develop further amendments in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health “addressing other preventative measures including physical distancing requirements, and the provision of hand sanitizer in public spaces.”

Those amendments will be discussed at Council’s September 14, 2020 meeting.

Mayor Darrin Canniff praised council for its work. “This is a worldwide issue and an extremely emotional one,” he said. “Councillors considered their views, the views of the constituents and the views from medical professionals. It was a difficult decision and they voted with the best interest of the community at heart.”

Indoor public spaces per the Municipal Mask By-Law 101-2020 are included but not limited to:

  • restaurants, cafés, cafeterias, banquet halls;
  • retail establishments and shopping malls;
  • churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, or other places of worship;
  • libraries, museums, art galleries, recreational facilities, bingo halls, cinemas, theatres, concert venues, special event venues, convention centres, or other similar entertainment, cultural, or leisure facilities;
  • sports facilities, sports clubs, gyms, yoga studios, dance studios, and stadiums;
  • hotels, motels, or short-term rental premises;
  • premises under the control of a regulated health professional under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 18, as amended;
  • temporary facilities, such as construction trailers and temporary sales offices;
  • municipal facilities and any community centre, cultural, arts or leisure centre, recreational or sporting facility, parks building, client service centre or indoor parking facility; and,
  • other businesses, organizations and places that are permitted to operate in accordance with the Emergency Orders passed by the Province of Ontario pursuant to the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act,S.O. 1990, c.E.9, as amended,

Wearing a mask is only one aspect in reducing an individual’s chances of contracting COVID-19. As directed by public health, individuals must:

  • Maintain physical distancing of two metres at all times
  • Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with 70% alcohol frequently
  • Stay home (not going into the community or to work) if you’re not feeling well, and get tested for COVID-19.

To get more information about the bylaw, visit the Municipality’s website.

For more information on how to stop the spread of COVID-19, visit CK Public Health’s website.