B.C. will now require masks in public indoor and retail spaces, following months of calls for such a mandate.
The announcement was one of a series of new measures announced by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Thursday (Nov. 19) following record-breaking cases and deaths B.C. in recent days.
Many retailers and businesses have voiced their frustration with earlier iterations that amounted to recommendations and expectation for the public, but left it up to individual businesses to sort out details and enforcement. Henry said the new mandate will give businesses government support in enforcing mask rules.
Masks will be required for both customers and employees in indoor retail and public spaces in all parts of the province, except for when eating or drinking in a designated food service area. They will also be mandatory in workplaces and hotels for public areas like corridors and elevators, but not in schools.
As to why schools are exempt from Thursday香蕉视频直播檚 rules on mask wearing, Henry said they 香蕉视频直播渁re not public open spaces.香蕉视频直播� Masks are mandatory in high traffic areas within middle and high schools.
香蕉视频直播淲e don香蕉视频直播檛 expect children to wear masks sitting at their desks all day long,香蕉视频直播� she said. Older students in Ontario and some Quebec schools are required to wear masks while in their classrooms.
In a social media post, the B.C. Teachers香蕉视频直播� Federation stated its displeasure with the lack of a full mask mandate for schools.
香蕉视频直播淭he Provincial Health Office has chosen not to mandate masks in #bced (sic) schools even as they make them mandatory in other public spaces. We continue to say to teachers, wear masks. Work with your colleagues to create a culture of mask wearing. Model it in your classes,香蕉视频直播� the union said.
香蕉视频直播淢any #bced (sic) schools have full mask policies because the staff, health and safety committee, or administrator made it happen.香蕉视频直播�
Retail and other employees standing behind plexiglass can take off their masks as long as there is only staff member there. People must wear masks in restaurants unless they are seated at their table. Those unable to wear a mask for a medical or disability related reason are exempt, and Henry cautioned that not all people香蕉视频直播檚 conditions will be visible.
According to health officials, contact tracers have not been seeing transmission between people in public spaces such as grocery stores, which officials suggest is due to so many wearing masks voluntarily.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 become apparent that this surge is happening across the province,香蕉视频直播� Henry said.
香蕉视频直播淲e all need to focus our efforts on stopping the spread and bending the curve back down.香蕉视频直播�
Provinces like Ontario and Saskatchewan have already brought in similar mask mandates.
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