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Medical officer orders face coverings for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph reopening

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Medical officer orders face coverings for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph reopening

Posted in: News Item

Date Posted: 2020-06-10

Organization Name: Public Health Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph

The provincial government announced Phase 2 of the framework for reopening Ontario will begin on Friday, June 12. Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph is one of the regions that will move to Phase 2 based on the current COVID-19 situation.

In addition to announcement from the provincial government, Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, is issuing an order under Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act to ensure the region is able to safely move to Phase 2.

“The best available evidence indicates face coverings reduce the possibility of transmission of COVID-19,” said Dr. Mercer. “By ensuring we can move to Phase 2 in the safest way possible, we are all making an investment in a safer community.”

The order requires all persons who own or operate a commercial establishment in the jurisdiction of the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Health Unit to prohibit persons from entering the premises of the commercial establishment or remaining in the premises if the said person is not wearing a face covering. The face covering must be worn inside the establishment at all times, unless it is reasonably required to temporarily remove it for services provided by the establishment.

A person shall be exempt from wearing a face covering on the premises if:

  • the person is a child under the age of two;
  • wearing a face covering would inhibit the person’s ability to breathe in any way; or
  • for any other medical reason the person cannot safely wear a face covering.

Ensure the availability of alcohol-based hand rub at all entrances and exits for the use of all persons entering or exiting the Establishment.

“Moving our region to Phase 2 is an important next step,” said Dr. Mercer. “As we move to reopen, we must always look to balance the economic needs of our region with the health and safety of the public.”

For more information, please visit https://www.wdgpublichealth.ca/coronavirus.