The Grey Bruce Health Unit has issued guidance on the new provincial regulations requiring mask use in all public indoor settings, with some exceptions.
A release issued by Grey Bruce’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ian Arra explains the provincial regulations are similar to the mask/face covering order that’s been in place in Grey Bruce, but there are some differences.
In short, the provincial order is more strict.
The health unit release highlights the provincial regulations stipulate a person responsible for a business organization “shall ensure” compliance, while the Grey Bruce order only asked for “best efforts” by businesses to enforce mask use.
Only children under the age of two are exempt in the Ontario government’s mask use order. The Grey Bruce order included an exemption for kids between the ages of two and five who refused to wear one.
The province’s order also includes exemptions for those who need to temporarily remove a mask or face covering while indoors, for sports and recreation purposes or to eat or drink.
Ontario’s mask order also continues to exempt people from using masks that work indoors in areas not accessible to the general public, provided at least two metres of distance can be maintained from colleagues.
“It should be noted that while certain exemptions apply under the provincial regulations, it is not necessary for a person to present evidence that they are entitled to any of the exceptions,” a statement from the Grey Bruce Health Unit explains.
The Grey Bruce Health Unit notes there are not sector-specific exemptions available for churches, libraries, community centres, private and public transportation, hospitals, health facilities, or regulated health professionals’ offices.
Grey Bruce’s MOH mask order is set to expire Oct. 9 and will not be renewed as province-wide regulations are now in place.