It should come as no surprise city council this afternoon (Monday) unanimously approved a bylaw to support the letter of instruction issued at the end of last month by Southwestern Public Health requiring the use of face coverings by individuals inside buildings where there is access to the public. The bylaw comes into effect right away, however, Mayor Joe Preston says the intent is not to have city bylaw enforcement officers serve as face mask police.
Preston says, for the most part, it will be up to businesses to monitor customers and clients for face mask use but there is no point in harassing staff who are only doing their job.
The bylaw will be in effect until Jan. 15 of next year at which time the need to extend it will be evaluated.
City manager Wendell Graves says the intent now is to train enforcement staff to ensure they understand how the bylaw is to be applied. The bylaw will be in effect until Jan. 15 of next year at which time the need to extend it will be evaluated.
