A mandatory mask or face covering order for indoor public spaces is now in effect.
The Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) order is for the whole region, which covers the Cochrane district and includes the communities of Timmins, Cochrane, Hearst, Hornepayne, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Matheson and Smooth Rock Falls. Hornepayne in the Algoma District is also under the PHU.
It means businesses in the health unit area will require all members of the public and employees who are in an enclosed public space to wear a mask or face covering that covers their mouth, nose and chin without gaping.
Exemptions to the policy include children under two years, people with medical conditions such as difficulty breathing or who cannot remove their mask without help. People do not have to provide a reason or proof of exemption for not wearing a mask.
The City of Timmins issued a press release with information on how the order affects its services.
"Should a member of the public be unwilling or unable to wear a mask or face covering, they will be directed to access services via Service Timmins' telephone or web-based options. Members of the public will not be permitted to enter these buildings without a mask or face covering, and are expected to provide their own supply. The city will continue to remain closed for in-person meetings and all necessary meeting with the public will be performed virtually," it reads.
Staff dealing with the public who are behind plexi-glass barriers and practice proper hygiene are not required to wear masks, reads the statement. Staff who aren't able physically distance from each other or the public are required to wear a mask.
For Timmins Transit, masks are required for people accessing the terminal, buses and shelters. According to the city, people unable to wear a mask for medical reasons will not be denied service.
"Implementing such measures will help to minimize the potential for our customers to contract or spread COVID-19 and will also help to increase ridership capacity on our buses," said Fred Gerrior, Timmins Transit manager, in a news release. "As such, previously cordoned-off seating to promote physical distancing will now be available for public use."
In an interview last week, PHU medical officer of health Dr. Lianne Catton said she'll revist the mandatory mask order in a couple of months, but would be surprised if it ends in the fall.
The health unit shared this video of Catton explaining the order July 22:
In addition to the face coverings, the health unit continues to promote the ongoing measures to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Those are washing your hands often and well, covering your coughs and sneezes, physical distancing, cleaning commonly-touched surfaces, and staying home if you're unwell.
COVID-19 testing is open to anyone who feels they need to be tested, even if you don't have symptoms. To access testing, call your health care provider or the health unit.
There are COVID-19 assessment centres in Timmins, Cochrane, Iroquois Falls, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, Hearst and Hornepayne.
The PHU COVID-19 hotline is open weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It can be reached at 705-267-1181 or 1-800-461-1818.
