December 13, 2021
The health and safety of Edmontonians is top of mind for the City of Edmonton as efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic continue into the winter months.
Edmonton City Council revised the Temporary Mandatory Face Coverings bylaw to add conditions that will determine when Council will review the bylaw and decide if mandatory masking is no longer required within the city.
“Masks are an incredibly important layer of protection in preventing the spread of COVID-19,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. “I thank Edmontonians for their continued efforts in keeping one another safe, and ask that we all practice our due diligence into the new year as we spend more time indoors and gather with family and friends.”
Face coverings are mandatory in all indoor public places across the province under the Government of Alberta’s public health order, and the City’s Temporary Mandatory Face Coverings Bylaw closely aligns with provincial direction. Starting today, the City bylaw now features a renewed set of conditions before it can be lifted.
“Our utmost priority is stopping the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our homes, our city, and our region,” said Andre Corbould, Edmonton’s city manager. “These two new triggers will give Council the opportunity to review the bylaw in full context of Alberta’s current situation.”
Once the following conditions have been met, Council will review whether the bylaw needs to remain in place:
- Active COVID-19 cases for the City of Edmonton remain below 100 per 100,000 population for 28 consecutive days
- The provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health order regarding face coverings has been rescinded
Council will have 30 days to review the bylaw and may choose to leave it in effect, amend it, or repeal it.
The 28-day, COVID-19 case count measurement will begin tomorrow. Masks and face coverings remain mandatory in Edmonton’s indoor public places and public vehicles until further notice.
