July 29, 2020
City Council passed a bylaw today mandating the use of face coverings in all indoor public places and public vehicles. The bylaw will come into effect August 1 and will run to the end of the year.
“This bylaw works to strike a balance between encouraging the use of face coverings for everyone’s protection, and understanding that not everyone can wear a face covering,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “We know that wearing a face covering is an important factor in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and we want it to become second nature to Edmontonians.”
Face coverings refers to any medical or non-medical masks 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, transit stations and more. Business owners can decide for themselves if they wish to refuse service to patrons not wearing face coverings.
Public vehicles refers to buses, LRT vehicles, taxis and other vehicles for hire. The fine is $100.
Face coverings can be removed when eating or drinking in a designated seating area or as part of a religious or spiritual ceremony, or when engaged in water activities or physical exercise.
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, and people providing care or assistance to a person with a disability when wearing a face covering would affect that service.
The bylaw does not apply to schools, hospitals and health care facilities, child care facilities or areas where employees - like bus and transit drivers - have a physical barrier between themselves and the public. It also does not apply to areas within a business that are exclusively accessed by employees.
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.
