November 20, 2020
City Council has renewed the bylaw requiring the use of face coverings in all indoor places and public vehicles until December 31, 2021.
“I’ve been pleased to see how well Edmontonians are complying with the mask bylaw since it was introduced on August 1,” said Interim City Manager Adam Laughlin. “Wearing a proper face covering can assist in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and it's a simple but powerful action everyone can take to protect their family and friends.”
Face coverings refer to any medical or non-medical mask or other covering that fully covers the nose, mouth and chin. Indoor public places means any property, whether publicly or privately owned that members of the public can access. This includes retail stores, entertainment venues, recreation centres, restaurants and transit stations. Business owners can decide for themselves if they wish to refuse service to patrons not wearing face coverings. The bylaw does not apply to schools, health care facilities, hospitals or child care facilities.
Public vehicles refers to buses, LRT vehicles, taxis and other vehicles for hire. The fine is $100.
Face coverings can be removed when consuming food as part of ceremony, or in another designated space. They can also be removed when engaged in water activities or physical exercise and in spaces where physical barriers have been installed between the employee and patrons.
There are exceptions to who must wear a face covering in public places. They include those who cannot put one on or remove it without assistance, children under two years of age, people who are unable to wear a face covering because of mental or physical concerns or protected reasons under the Alberta Human Rights Act, people providing care or assistance to a person with a disability when wearing a face covering would affect that service, and people engaging in services that require the temporary removal of the face covering or mask.
Everyone can help protect themselves and others from COVID-19 by practicing good hygiene, maintaining physical distancing and wearing a face covering in public. Learn more at
alberta.ca/prevent-the-spread.
