Wearing a face mask while shopping or dining out in London is no longer going to be optional.
Middlesex London Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie has issued an instruction order under Ontario's Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act that requires face coverings in all indoor public spaces.
The mandatory wearing of masks comes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday.
Other mandatory public health measures for businesses and organizations included in the instructions are to ensure physical distancing, enhanced cleaning, and provide alcohol-based hand sanitizers for customers.
"Although cases remain low, we know the risk of an outbreak persists," said Mackie who went on to cite a study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association about mandating masks in the hospital system in Boston. "This is a really important study because it takes the lab-science that we have had for some time and it adds to it a real-world population example."
The study showed a higher rate of infection prior to universal masking being put in place.
The mandatory mask order from Mackie is enforceable by public health inspectors, municipal bylaw officers and law enforcement officers.
Those exempt from wearing face coverings include children under the age of 12, people with a medical condition that inhibits their ability to wear a mask, people who cannot apply or remove a mask without help, and those with accommodations under the Ontario Human Rights Code or the Accessibility for Ontarians with a Disabilities Act.
Those who are exempt will not be required to show any proof, the health unit stressed.
"There is a danger citizens will take enforcement into their own hands and we have seen that go awry across Ontario where masks have been mandated in a number of high profile cases," said Mackie. "Please do not make any attempt to enforce this rule on your fellow citizens."
Mackie added that education will be key and the primary enforcement mechanism, meaning business owners will only need to remind customers to wear a mask.
"It's a public health intervention. It is not a silver bullet that is going to solve all problems and so what we expect businesses to do is take reasonable measures including posting signage and encouraging their customers to wear a mask," said Mackie.
Because the instruction order is a very temporary option, that could face court challenges, Mackie is also recommending municipal politicians in London and Middlesex County issue a bylaw to make masks mandatory.
London city councillors plan on debating a proposed bylaw on mandatory masking, drafted in consultation with Mackie, at a special strategic priorities and policy committee meeting on Monday. If given the green light at committee, it would go onto Tuesday's council meeting for final approval.
The bylaw's primary goal is to reduce the risk of further COVID-19 infections within the City of London. The proposed fines for breaking the bylaw range from $5,00 to $100,000.
Anyone who wishes to weigh-in on the bylaw must submit their comments by email to sppc@london.ca before Monday's 4 p.m. meeting.
A previous order by Mackie issued under Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act which mandates masks on public transit, rideshares, and at high-risk businesses like hair and nail salons will still come into effect as scheduled on Monday.