The Porcupine Health Unit is going to mandate the use of masks, according to Timmins Mayor George Pirie.
While Timmins council was set to debate mandatory masks in public spaces tonight, before the conversation Pirie said Porcupine Health Unit medical officer of health Dr. Lianne Catton had distributed information they are going to mandate masks.
“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 said.
A health unit order would be for all the communities it covers, not just Timmins.
Reading an email from Catton, city clerk Steph Palmateer said the health unit is finalizing the order requiring masks or face coverings in enclosed public spaces. It will be shared tomorrow, however it was not indicated when it would take effect.
At the last council meeting in June, Pirie asked for a clerk's report on mandatory masks during the pandemic.
That report recommended council take no action until the health unit issues an order.
In an interview last week, PHU medical officer of health Dr. Lianne Catton said the health unit has been talking about masks. Read the full interview about those discussions, as well as why they are being considered at this stage in the pandemic here.
In the Sudbury area, a Public Health Sudbury and Districts directive went into effect last week asking people wear a face covering in local businesses or using public transit. Algoma Public Health is doing the same, with the new rules starting Friday, July 17.
Timmins is one of 24 regions in the province allowed to enter the third phase of the provincial reopening Friday, which allows for most businesses to operate again.
