The region's medical officer of health will revist a mandatory mask order in a couple of months.
Dr. Lianne Catton would be surprised if it ends in the fall, though.
Yesterday, a mandatory mask or face covering order for indoor public spaces was issued for the Porcupine Health Unit region. It takes effect 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.
Similar orders have been issued in the Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie areas.
In an update on the order today, Catton noted there is no end date on it.
She expects to reassess it around September, when other groups are doing the same.
“However I will be very honest that I expect this will be in place for some time yet and I will be very surprised if it ends in the fall,” she said.
There are a number of reasons for the order.
The Porcupine Health Unit is one of 24 regions entering the third phase of the provincial reopening tomorrow (July 17). That change allows most businesses to operate and means people will be interacting more.
She said they look forward to the reopening of more businesses and greater opportunities for social interaction.
“And at the same time we need to remember that COVID-19 is still circulating. The pandemic is not over and the risk remains ever-present,” she said.
A second wave of the COVID-19 is also a factor.
"Most predictions are that this will happen in the fall, however we have seen outbreaks, we have seen countries and other areas have to go back into more restrictions because of opening up and because of increased spread,” she said.
Earlier this week, Timmins council was poised to debate a mandatory mask bylaw.
Because the city knew the health unit order was coming, that talk didn't happen.
Catton said the basis for the decision is the evidence and what needs to be done.
In public health, she said the responsibility is to protect the health of the population.
“I definitely believe that this is the right thing to do based on the evidence, based on where we are at in the pandemic, based on the fact that I simply do not want to be announcing more deaths from COVID-19. I want to know that we are taking all the measures possible to prevent cases, to prevent outbreaks, to allow businesses to stay open, to ensure people can still see and visit loved ones and to not be announcing deaths and tragic outcomes,” she said.
As evidence and recommendations evolve, she recognizes the challenges it brings.
“With this we have seen that COVID transmission is greater indoors than outside. Masks have been shown to reduce the risk by preventing droplets,” she said.
“I wear my mask to protect you and I hope in turn that if you able to you will wear a mask to protect me."
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. People do not have to provide a reason or proof of exemption for not wearing a mask.
“It may not be obvious why someone cannot wear one. We need to reserve our judgment and remember we are all in this together,” she said.
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.
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.
