On Tuesday, October 13, Council passed the Face Covering Bylaw (No. 20/024). Face coverings are now mandatory on all public transit vehicles.
For indoor public places and vehicles for hire, the Bylaw will come into effect only when Alberta Health Services report 50 active cases of COVID-19 in the region. The Bylaw would then remain in effect for a minimum of 30 days and would stay in place until active cases are below 50 after the minimum of 30 days.
There are currently less than 50 active cases in the region.
Certain exemptions will apply and are listed below.
Please check this page often for updates on when the provisions of the Face Covering Bylaw are in effect.
Requirements
| Places | Examples |
| Public Transit* | Transit busses |
| Public vehicles for hire | Taxis, vehicles for hire |
| Public indoor spaces | Malls, grocery stores, retail businesses, restaurants, gyms, arenas |
| RMWB-owned facilities | Recreation centres, municipal buildings |
* Face coverings are mandatory on public transit regardless of the number of cases in the region.
Exemptions
Exceptions to the Face Covering Bylaw include:
- Children under five (5) years of age
- People with underlying medical conditions or disabilities inhibiting their ability to wear a face covering, or those protected under the Alberta Human Rights Act
- People who are unable to place, use or remove a face covering safely without assistance
- People who are seated while eating or drinking at a public place that offers food or beverage services
- People engaging in an athletic or fitness activity
- People who are caregiving for, or accompanying, a person with a disability where wearing a face covering would hinder the accommodation of the person’s disability (for example, the ability to lip read)
- People who have temporarily removed their face covering where doing so is necessary to provide or receive a service (for example, a visit to the dentist)
- People who are attending or leading a religious worship activity
Proof is not required for exemption.
Requirements for businesses
When the Bylaw is in effect, business operators or owners are required to display signage in public entryways of the business or vehicle. The Municipality has developed these mandated signs, and they can be downloaded here:
Businesses are not expected to deny services to visitors, as not everyone is required to wear a face covering.
You and your employees are not expected to enforce the Bylaw, or to have negative interactions with customers. If a customer becomes confrontational, call 911.
Proof is not required if someone claims an exception. Business owners may also sell or provide masks to customers if they choose.
The Bylaw
Questions and Answers
Q&A - General
| What does the face covering bylaw require? | ||||||||||
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The Bylaw requires everyone to wear a face covering on public transit in the region, unless an exemption applies. When Alberta Health Services reports 50 or more active cases of COVID-19 in the region, the Bylaw will also require anyone in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo to wear a face covering in all indoor public places and public vehicles (vehicles for hire). These provisions would then remain in effect for a minimum of 30 days and would stay in place until active cases are below 50 after the minimum of 30 days.
* Face coverings are mandatory on public transit regardless of the number of cases in the region. |
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| What will enforcement of this Bylaw look like? | ||||||||||
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The primary focus is on educating residents of Wood Buffalo regarding the importance of wearing face coverings in indoor public places and public vehicles (transit and taxis), rather than enforcement. Failure to wear a face covering where required, when the bylaw is in effect, may result in a fine in the amount of $100. The Bylaw outlines that Bylaw Officers must engage in education efforts before any enforcement measures take place.
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| Is a business owner/operator required to enforce the Face Covering bBlaw in their place of business? | ||||||||||
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When the Bylaw is in effect, business owners must comply with the Bylaw and place the prescribed signage at the entrance to their establishment. Business owners and employees are not expected to enforce the Bylaw or to have negative interactions with customers. If a customer becomes confrontational, call 911. Proof is not required if someone claims an exception. Business owners may also sell or provide masks to customers if they choose. |
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| What are the exceptions to the Face Covering Bylaw? | ||||||||||
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Exceptions to the Face Covering Bylaw include:
Proof is not required if someone has an exception. Businesses are also not expected to deny services as not everyone is required to wear a face covering. |
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| What is considered a public place? | ||||||||||
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When the Bylaw is in effect, people are expected to wear a face covering in any part of an enclosed space to which the public can readily access. The rule of thumb is, if the public does not have access to it, then the Bylaw won’t apply to that structure. |
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| Are businesses responsible to make sure people are complying with the Bylaw? | ||||||||||
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The Bylaw requires businesses to display a prescribed sign at a location that is visible to a person immediately upon entering the public place or public vehicle. The business is not expected to evict a customer or refuse service to people who are not complying with the Bylaw. If a customer becomes confrontational, call 911. |
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| What is the responsibility of citizens to comply with this bylaw? | ||||||||||
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When the Bylaw is in effect, anyone in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo must wear a face covering in a public place or a public vehicle, unless an exemption applies. |
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| Will people still be required to wear a face covering indoors when physical distancing can be achieved? | ||||||||||
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Yes. Physical distancing in indoor public places can be inconsistent and unpredictable. |
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| Who will be responsible for the enforcement of this Bylaw? | ||||||||||
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Shared enforcement responsibilities are between Bylaw Officer, Community Peace Officers, and RCMP Officers. The primary focus is on educating residents and visitors in the Wood Buffalo Region regarding the importance of wearing face coverings in indoor public places and public vehicles (transit and taxis), rather than enforcement. Failure to wear a face covering where required can result in a fine, but The Bylaw outlines that Bylaw Officers must engage in education efforts before any enforcement measures take place. |
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| Will the RMWB be distributing face masks to residents to encourage mask wearing? | ||||||||||
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The Municipality will continue to distribute non-medical face coverings on public transit. Face coverings are available at the rear entrance of each transit bus. Business owners may sell or provide masks to customers if they choose. |
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| Do face coverings need to be worn in places of worship? | ||||||||||
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No. Those who are attending or leading a religious worship activity will not be required to wear a face covering unless indicated by their place of worship. |
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| Is there an expiry date to this Bylaw? | ||||||||||
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The Bylaw, as a whole, will be reviewed by Council no later than January 31, 2021. |
Q&A - Private meetings and office spaces
| Would it be correct to assume public meetings such as condo board meetings are exempt from the Bylaw? |
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No. Meetings such as a condo board meetings would not be exempt from the Bylaw. When in effect, a face covering will be required. |
Q&A - Public vehicles
| Do vehicle for hire and taxi companies have to follow the Bylaw? |
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Yes. In the Bylaw, a "public vehicle" includes a transit bus, taxi and any vehicle that is used to transport members of the public for a fee. Anyone using a public vehicle will be required to wear a face covering when the Bylaw is in effect. |
Q&A - Gyms, sport centres and fitness studios
| Does this bylaw apply to gyms / sports centres and fitness studios in the RMWB? |
| Yes. When in effect the Bylaw applies in all indoor public places. However, people actively engaging in athletic or fitness activities in gyms, sports centres and fitness studios are permitted to temporarily remove their face covering. The Government of Alberta’s guidance documents indicate that physical distancing must be maintained during group fitness activities (at all indoor and outdoor locations). |
Q&A - Schools and daycares
| Will children and staff that attend daycares and schools be mandated to wear face coverings? |
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When the Bylaw is in effect, people are expected to wear a face covering in any part of an enclosed space to which the public can access. Government of Alberta regulation requires Grade 4 to 12 students and all staff to wear masks where physical distancing cannot be maintained, including on school buses and shared areas such as hallways. Some school jurisdictions may have additional mask use practices that go beyond the government's requirements. |