The Municipality is confirming that Chatham-Kent’s new mask mandate is in effect as of 12:01 A.M this Friday, August 14.
Chatham-Kent Council Monday night voted to make the wearing of masks in indoor public spaces mandatory with 63% approval in Monday night’s virtual meeting.
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.
The official motion to bring the the mask mandate forward reads as follows:
“That 1. Council approve a by-law mandating masks in indoor public spaces. 2. And further amendments be developed in consultation with the MOH addressing other preventative measures including physical distancing requirements, and the provision of hand sanitizer in public spaces, to be discussed at the September 14th meeting.”
Mayor Darrin Canniff put the motion to council, which passed 11 to 6.
Councillors voting in favour of the mask mandate included: Mark Authier, Anthony Ceccacci, Marjorie Crew, Aaron Hall, Melissa Harrigan, Karen Kirkwood-Whyte, Brock McGregor, Carmen McGregor, Doug Sulman, Trevor Thompson and Mayor Canniff.
Councillors who voted no included Joe Faas, Amy Finn, Claire Latimer, Jamie McGrail, Steve Pinsonneault and John Wright. Councillor Michael Bondy was not in attendance.
Mayor 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,
The municipality adds that 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. (hyperlinked to our symptoms and getting care page)
To get more information about the bylaw, CLICK HERE.
