After an emergency meeting, the Medicine Hat City Council passed a mandatory mask bylaw.
The meeting was held after a huge spike in cases in recent weeks. The council received a letter signed by hundreds of residents asking for the restrictions.
According to the letter, Medicine Hat was the only city of its size in the country without a mandatory mask bylaw. The bylaw was passed late Wednesday afternoon by a 6-3 vote.
In a citizen’s email, it stated that mask-wearing should no longer be considered an infringement of civil liberties nor a matter of personal choice, but a simple act of decency, consideration, and compassion.
The bylaw will come into effect on December 4 and will require face coverings in all indoor public places and public vehicles.
Exemptions to the bylaw include children under two, resistant children under eight, and people with medical conditions or disabilities.
There is also an exemption for anyone engaged in religious ceremonies, physical activity, or arts and cultural performances, provided it is taking place in a setting designed for that purpose.
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LEARN MORE
Learn more about face masks and how to stay safe by enrolling in a mask fitting test which is a requirement for many workspaces and schools or the available masks for sale by visiting our face mask sale page.
Our courses maintain social distancing measures with reduced class sizes to maintain the minimum 2 meters apart along with the mandatory use of face masks and regular temperature checks. The venue of the courses undergo regular, enhanced cleaning and disinfection routines.
For more information about face masks, check out these sources:
Johns Hopkins Medicine: Coronavirus Face Masks – What You Need to Know