Edmonton mask mandate for indoor public spaces takes effect
Posted Sep 3, 2021 8:56 am.
EDMONTON (CityNews) – Edmonton’s mask mandate takes effect Friday, meaning people in the city will have to wear a face covering in all indoor public places and public vehicles.
In a 9-2 vote on Monday, councillors said the decision is based on rising COVID-19 case counts.
“I recognize it’s a tough decision for folks and the political backdrop isn’t lost on me but I think this is the right thing to do,” said Mayor Don Iveson.
READ MORE: Edmonton mask mandate to be reinstated for indoor public places
The mask bylaw will remain in effect until the end of the year and is tied to case counts.
City council can choose to repeal it if Edmonton has less than, or equal to, 100 active COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population for at least 10 days.
WATCH: Edmonton brings back its mask bylaw
Councillor Andrew Knack proposed the indoor masking amendment. It came as council debated extending masking on just transit and ride-share beyond the province’s Sept. 27 end date.
Councillors say they didn’t want to bring it back but they just felt like they had no choice.
“Information I got over this weekend was from a doctor who described the care of his patients now, describing a situation in health facilities that is much more dire than the first couple of times around,” said councillor Tim Cartmell.
According to the city, peace officers can enforce the bylaw, but will focus on educating the public on the potential impacts of not wearing a mask.
Exemptions to the bylaw include children under two, people who are unable to put one on without assistance, eating or drinking, and engaging in physical exercise.
“The situation has gotten away from us,” Iveson said before the decision was made.
“Some action and some leadership is required and in the absence of that coming strongly from the Legislature, people are once again calling on their local government to at least send a signal that we take this seriously.”
Full details on the bylaw can be found here.
