An order by Grey Bruce's medical officer of health requiring businesses to mandate mask or face covering use at indoor public spaces in the region will take effect later this week.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit issued a news release Tuesday advising that Dr. Ian Arra is ordering all commercial establishments in Grey Bruce — as of 12:01 a.m. Friday — to make the best effort (verbal) to restrict persons from entering the premises or remaining within the premises if not wearing a face covering.
“Turning away or refusing a customer is not required under this order,” the release from the Health Unit explains.
The order will take effect as most of the province, including Grey and Bruce counties, enters Stage 3 of the Ontario's government gradual re-opening plan on Friday. Stage 3 will allow the resumption of additional indoor business settings, such as movie theatres, gymnasiums and sit-in restaurant dining.
“The order will help all of us in maintaining the safe and successful re-opening.” says Arra in a prepared statement. “This order could be used by businesses as a tool to assist in the challenging situation generated by some customers asking the proprietor to address the lack of use of masks by other customers.”
It applies to anyone over the age of two, although children under the age of five are exempt as well if “he or she refuses to wear a face covering and cannot be persuaded to do so by their parent, guardian or caregiver.”
There are also exemptions for medical purposes, or simply for those who feel “wearing a face covering would inhibit the person's ability to breathe in any way.” Medical notes are not required. Arra previously told Bayshore Broadcasting News only a verbal declaration is needed by an individual to claim an exemption from the order mandating mask or face covering use.
“Please be aware there is no such thing as a COVID-19 Face Mask Medical Exemption Card or anything similar,” the health unit explains.
There are two other aspects of the coming medical officer of health's order in Grey Bruce not pertaining to face covering use. Businesses will have to ensure effective measures are in place to maintain physical distancing of two metres amongst all employees and clients, and also ensure the availability of alcohol-based “hand rub” at all entrances and exits. Many businesses in Grey Bruce have already adopted policies to adhere to these new public health regulations.
The MOH order will remain in effect for four weeks and can be extended further. Arra previously told Bayshore Broadcasting News it is designed to buy time for municipalities to develop their own by-laws about mask or face covering use in public indoor spaces.
The order by Dr. Arra is being done through authority under section 22 of The Health Protection and Promotion Act. It grants broad powers to medical officers of health to issue orders that may require a person to take or to refrain from taking any action that is specified in respect of a communicable disease.