As the region gets ready to enter the third stage of the provincial reopening, a mandatory mask order has been issued.
Porcupine Health Unit medical officer of health Dr. Lianne Catton announced today masks will be required in public indoor spaces in the region. It is able to do so under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
The order takes effect next Thursday, July 23. 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.
The Porcupine Health Unit covers the entire 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.
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. According to the health unit, people will not be expected to provide a reason or proof of exemption.
“As more businesses open and people interact more, the risk of a rapid increase in cases, and outbreaks is even greater,” said Catton in a news release.
“Ongoing dedication to the measures that have enabled us to open is critical to ensuring we stay open. There is increasing evidence supporting the use of masks in enclosed spaces as an important added measure to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.”
While the order doesn't come into effect for a week, Catton is urging people to start wearing a non-medical mask or face covering in indoor public spaces now.
Timmins council was set to talk about a municipal bylaw for mandatory masks last night.
At the start of the meeting, Mayor George Pirie revealed that the health unit intended on issuing an order.
“Our role within the City of Timmins is to support the health unit, that’s what we’ve been doing through the whole crisis is to support the health unit and medical professionals in this emergency,” he told council.
The Porcupine Health Unit area moves into the third phase of the provincial reopening Friday, July 17.
"This is good news, as many have found the last few months increasingly difficult. However, we are able to move forward due to the commitment to the public health measures in place. This is not a green light; it's amber — proceed with caution," said Catton in the news release.
As businesses reopen and there is more interaction, Catton said there is the risk of a rapid increase in cases or outbreaks.
"Ongoing dedication to the measures that have enabled us to open is critical to ensuring we stay open. There is increasing evidence supporting the use of masks in enclosed spaces as an important added measure to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission," she said.
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.
"I know many people feel their lives have been put on hold for too long," said Catton. "If we proceed with caution and care into Stage 3, we can reduce the future impact of COVID-19 in all our communities."
