Region stands by decision to not make masks mandatory
WATERLOO REGION — Waterloo Region officials stand by the decision to not make masks mandatory, saying enforcement would be a challenge and instead residents should take responsibility for reducing the spread of COVID-19.
“I do not believe that that is the right approach at this time,” acting medical officer of health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang said. “I think that we all have a collective responsibility … to protect each other. I want the vast majority of us to wear masks whenever we are in close proximity to others, especially in indoor settings and on public transit.”
The Wellington-DufferinGuelph Health Unit made face coverings mandatory inside any commercial or retail establishment starting on Friday, when Guelph and Waterloo Region were allowed to move into Stage 2 of Ontario’s reopening plan.
Clear guidance from the Ontario government that applies across the province would be helpful to avoid the confusion caused by different regions having different rules, said chief administrative officer Mike Murray.
“I think there’s a role for the province to play in trying to avoid this patchwork quilt that’s emerging that we acknowledge can be confusing for people,” Murray said.
Wang said the region’s businesses are working hard to reopen and meet very stringent requirements set by the province, sometimes supplemented with guidance by local public health.
She did not think the onus should be put on businesses to enforce that patrons wear masks, decide who can be excluded for health reasons or deal with complaints from people who don’t understand why some weren’t wearing masks, all while under the threat of a hefty daily fine.
“Our focus right now is to support the business community to put in place the required measures to safely reopen, to protect their staff, to protect their patrons,” Wang said. “There is no one who wants to reopen safely more than the business owners themselves.”
The Guelph health unit said anyone not wearing a face covering — which includes a medical mask, non-medical mask or other face coverings such as a bandana, a scarf or cloth that covers the mouth, nose and chin — will be prohibited from entering by the owner or operator.
“I will continue to ask our population to do whatever we can to help each other, help protect each other,” Wang said. “Please remember though that a mask does not replace physical distancing.”
Murray said riders on Grand
River Transit have been encouraged to wear masks for months. The challenge with making masks mandatory on public transit is enforcement, which he said shouldn’t be left to the drivers.
“I actually think every municipality that has said masks are mandatory on transit has also acknowledged they’re not enforcing that,” Murray said.
The region will continue monitoring mask use on transit before considering making it required.
“It’s not a step we’re taking at this point, but we want to leave the door open to whatever steps we need to take to try to get more and more people wearing masks on transit,” Murray said.
Wang said consistently wearing masks and following other recommended measures are vital as restrictions are slowly lifted because the virus is still circulating in the community. “The pandemic is not over.”
Just two new COVID-19 cases were reported in the region in Friday’s update by public health to reach 1,191, and no new deaths. The number of COVIDrelated deaths remained at 115. Of the current local cases, 974 are resolved, 102 are active and 14 are hospitalized.
Wang said she expected that case data by neighbourhood would be posted on the regional dashboard within the next two weeks, and it would be updated regularly.
Outbreaks
Two outbreaks are declared in workplaces, including one in a food-processing setting. One outbreak in the manufacturing/industrial setting ended, while a new outbreak was declared in a retail setting with three cases.
“This is not a situation where we believe there is an increased risk to the general public,” said Wang, adding that it’s not unexpected to detect cases among workers as testing expands and more employees return to work.
Outbreaks at long-term-care and retirement homes remain at two.
The province announced this week that limited visits will once again be allowed in these homes, which Wang said is a welcome change as the visitor ban has been very difficult for residents and families and it will be done very carefully.
“I actually think it’s a good thing,” Wang said.
Child care
The region expects to share more information about childcare centres next week.
Murray said a “huge amount of work” was going on now to open centres — including the five operated by the region, which also oversees the system. In this case, he said the province has done a good job by providing clear requirements that centres and the region are now reviewing.
“Child-care operators are trying to open as quickly as they can, but they recognize they need to do it in a safe and healthy way and they’re trying to find that right balance,” Murray said.
Many centres are in schools, which adds another layer of complexity as schools have been closed.
The region also needs to wind down operations of the emergency child care centres it’s operating by the end of the month and then reopen them for regular child care.
Charges
Two new charges for not following provincial emergency orders were laid over the past week, both for gatherings in private residences in Waterloo. There were 188 site visits requiring education or warnings, and 281 requiring no action.
Regional Chair Karen Redman urged people not to jeopardize the gains made as the region begins the second phase of reopening, or risk having to go backwards.
“Simply we cannot relax,” Redman said. “We have all worked so hard to get here and I know we all will work together to protect each other through this next phase.”