Face Covering Information

Face coverings mandatory under provincial requirement and Municipal Face Covering Bylaw

The Municipal Face Covering Bylaw remains in effect but will be considered for repeal at the June 22 Council meeting.

The Government of Alberta's province-wide face covering requirement also continues to be in effect. For more information, please visit alberta.ca/masks

Provisions of the Municipal Face Covering Bylaw are activated when there are 50 or more active cases of COVID-19 in the region. Provisions of the Bylaw were extended for an additional 30-day period on May 24. Face coverings are required on public transit regardless of the number of active cases.

The Government of Alberta's province-wide face covering requirement remains in effect. When the Municipal Bylaw is also in effect, the provincial requirement supersedes the Municipal Bylaw on most matters

Please check this page often for updates on the status of the Face Covering Bylaw (No. 20/024) and the provincial face covering requirement.

When Bylaw is in effect

When the Municipal Face Covering Bylaw is in effect, the following applies:

Requirements for individuals

When provisions of the Face Covering Bylaw are in effect, individuals are required to wear a face covering in the following places:

Places where face coverings are required	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

*required under the Municipal Face Covering Bylaw and remains in place regardless of the number of COVID-19 cases in the region.

Requirements for businesses

When provisions of the Face Covering Bylaw are 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 below.

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.

Signage:

English (8.5"x11")
English (11"x17")
French (8.5"x11")
Dene (8.5"x11")
Cree (8.5"x11")
Spanish (8.5"x11")
Hindi (8.5"x11")
Tagalog (8.5"x11")
Punjabi (8.5"x11")

Exemptions

Exceptions to the Face Covering Bylaw include:

Persons under five (5) years of age
Persons who are unable to place, use, or remove a face covering safely without assistance
Persons unable to wear a face covering due to a mental or physical limitation, or on the basis of a protected ground under the Alberta Human Rights Act
Persons who are caregiving for or accompanying a person with a disability where wearing a face covering would hinder that caregiving or assistance
Persons who have temporarily removed their face covering in a Public Place:
- to provide or receive a service
- while consuming food or drink in a designated seating area
- while engaged in an athletic or fitness activity
- while attending or leading a religious or worship activity

When Bylaw is suspended

When the Bylaw is suspended, certain provisions of the Bylaw are not in effect. However, at this time a province-wide face covering requirement remains in place by the Government of Alberta. Here is what's currently required under the Government of Alberta:

Where face coverings are required

On all public transit*
In all indoor public places
In all places of worship
In all indoor workplaces
In K-12 schools when required
When you might come within 2 metres of people from outside your household

*required under the Municipal Face Covering Bylaw and remains in place regardless of the number of COVID-19 cases in the region.

Exemptions

Some exemptions do apply to the Province's face covering requirement. Review the latest Public Health Order (CMHO 02-2021) or visit alberta.ca/masks for more information on exemptions.

Timeline

Provincial requirement:

The Government of Alberta's province-wide face covering requirement remains in place until further notice.

Municipal Bylaw:

Under the Municipal Face Covering Bylaw, provisions are re-activated for a 30-day period when Alberta Health Services report 50 or more cases of COVID-19 in the region.