By Staff

July 20th, 2020

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Halton is one of seven regions in the province that will move into Stage 3 of the Emergency measures on Friday.

The decision was made in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and is based on positive local trends of key public health indicators, including lower or low transmission of COVID-19, ongoing hospital capacity, public health capacity to conduct rapid case and contact management, and a significant increase in testing.

The details were provided today by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance.

The following public health units will be allowed to move into Stage 3 on Friday, July 24, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.:
• Durham Region Health Department;
• Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit;
• Halton Region Health Department;
• Hamilton Public Health Services;
• Lambton Health Unit;
• Niagara Region Public Health Department; and
• York Region Public Health Services.

Toronto Public Health, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit and Peel Public Health will remain in Stage 2 until local trends of key public health indicators demonstrate readiness to move into Stage 3:

“Entering Stage 3 does not mean the fight against COVID-19 is over” said Deputy Premier Christine Elliott. We all must remain vigilant and continue following public health advice to ensure the progress we have made so far in stopping the spread will not be undone.”

“I’m impressed by how seriously business owners are taking the public health advice and how easy they made it for their customers to take precautions,” said Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance. “By providing plenty of space to physically distance, keeping hand sanitizer by the door, and maintaining records for contact tracing, they’re playing a vital role helping fight COVID-19. We’re all doing our part and making it easy for others to do the same.”

As the province carefully reopens, the health and well-being of Ontarians remains a top priority. The government is strongly recommending everyone to continue following public health advice, including practicing physical distancing with those outside your household or social circle, wearing a face covering when physical distancing is a challenge or where it is mandatory to do so, staying home when ill, and washing your hands frequently and thoroughly.

For regions in Stage 3, gathering limits will increase to a maximum of 50 people indoors and a maximum of 100 people outdoors, with physical distancing in place. Gathering limits apply to all social gatherings and events, as well as some higher risk activities and venues. Gathering limits do not apply to settings such as beaches, parks, restaurants and bars, but measures to enable physical distancing may limit capacity at any given time.

Some municipalities have implemented additional restrictions or requirements, such as mandatory face coverings in commercial establishments and all indoor public places.

The province has set up a Workplace PPE Supplier Directory, where employers can find suppliers who sell personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies to support a safe reopening of their workplaces.

Testing is available at any of the province’s 144 assessment centres currently open. To find your closest assessment centre, please visit Ontario.ca/coronavirus.

For questions on restrictions that will remain in place during Stage 3, review the Stage 3 Emergency Order on the emergency information portal or call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

By Staff

July 17, 2020

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The amount of time spent by the various municipalities is stunning. The mask by laws are temporary and will be reviewed again at the end of September.

The Region met earlier in the week while the 24 members of the Regional Council debated the xx of the bylaw.

When Mayor Meed Ward get to the end of the long series of debates held at Standing Committee meeting could only impress. Meed Ward declared the Burlington bylaw was the “gold standard”. The Region didn’t see it that way – they opted out of the idea of matching the $10,000 Burlington set aside for the purchase of masks.

While an inordinate amount of time was spent on what is an important issue – masks are a part of the new normal we have to follow if we expect to keep the number of new infections as low as possible.

We publish the Regional Bylaw which we understand is not yet on the Regional web site, as a matter of record.

THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF HALTON BY-LAW NO. 47-20
A TEMPORARY BY-LAW TO REQUIRE THE WEARING OF NON-MEDICAL MASKS/FACE COVERINGS IN ENCLOSED PUBLIC PLACES IN THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF HALTON.

WHEREAS subsection 11(2) of the Municipal Act, 2001 (the “Act”), provides the general authority for municipalities to pass by-laws for the “health, safety and well-being of persons”;

AND WHEREAS the spread of COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020;

AND WHEREAS an emergency was declared in the Province of Ontario on March 17, 2020, pursuant to Order in Council 518/2020 for the purposes of section 7.1 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, and has been extended pursuant to section 7.0.7 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, due to the health risks to Ontario residents arising from COVID-19;

AND WHEREAS on March 23, 2020, the Regional Chair declared a state of emergency in support of the Province’s efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, made pursuant to subsection 4(1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act;

AND WHEREAS the Province of Ontario has enacted Ontario Regulation 263/20 under subsection 7.0.2(4) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to permit certain businesses to reopen for attendance by members of the public, subject to conditions, including the advice/recommendations/instructions of public health officials;

AND WHEREAS physical distancing (keeping distance from one another and limiting activities outside the home; when outside the home, staying at least 2 metres (or 6 feet) away from other people whenever possible) is difficult to maintain in enclosed public places;

AND WHEREAS a by-law requiring persons to wear a non-medical mask/face covering in enclosed public places is deemed a necessary, recognized, practicable, and effective method to limit the spread of COVID-19, and thereby help protect the health, safety and well-being of the Halton Region community;

AND WHEREAS a by-law requiring the Operator of an enclosed Public Place that is open to the public to adopt a policy to require persons entering the enclosed Public Place to wear a non-medical mask/face covering is deemed a necessary, recognized, practicable, and effective method to limit the spread of COVID-19, and thereby help protect the health, safety and well-being of the Halton Region community;

NOW THEREFORE THE COUNCIL OF THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF HALTON HEREBY ENACTS AS FOLLOWS:

1. THAT:

a) every person must wear a Non-Medical Mask / Face Covering when inside an enclosed Public Place within the geographic area of the Region of Halton;

b) such a Non-Medical Mask / Face Covering shall cover their mouth, nose and chin.

2. THAT every person that is the parent or guardian accompanying a child that is five
(5) years old or older in an enclosed Public Place shall ensure that the child wears a Non-Medical Mask / Face Covering.

3. THAT a “person” shall include any occupant within an enclosed Public Place and shall include, but not be limited to, any owner, operator, employee and worker in the enclosed Public Place and any customer, patron or other visitor in the enclosed Public Place, subject to the exemptions below.

4. THAT no person shall be required to provide proof of any of the exemptions set out below in Section 6.

5. THAT:

a) the Operator of an Public Place that is open to the public, shall adopt a policy as required under this By-law to ensure that no member of the public is permitted entry to, or otherwise remains within, any enclosed space within the Public Place, unless the member of the public is wearing a Non-Medical Mask/Face Covering, in a manner which covers their mouth, nose and chin;

b) the Operator of the Public Place shall, upon request, provide a copy of the policy for inspection by any person authorized to enforce this By-law.

6. THAT this By-law and the policy shall have the following exemptions from the requirement to wear a Non-Medical Mask/Face Covering in enclosed Public Places within Halton Region:

i. the person is under three years of age chronologically;

ii. the person is under three years of age developmentally and they refuse to wear a Mask or Face Covering and cannot be persuaded to do so by their caregiver;

iii. the person has an underlying medical condition where wearing a Mask or Face Covering would inhibit the person’s ability to breathe in any way;

iv. the person may experience a negative impact to their emotional well- being or mental health;

v. the person has a developmental disability which inhibits their ability to wear a mask or face covering;

vi. the person has a disability whereby the wearing of a mask or face covering would limit their ability to reasonably communicate with others or otherwise present a hardship for a person or persons assisting the individual;

vii. the person is unable to place or remove a Mask or Face Covering without assistance;

viii. persons temporarily removing their Non-Medical Mask / Face Covering when necessary for receiving services (such as having a meal), or while actively engaging in an athletic or fitness activity; and

ix. employees and agents of the person responsible for the Public Place within an area designated for them and not for public access, or within or behind a physical barrier;

7. THAT no person shall be discriminated against for not wearing a non-medical mask / face covering due to an exemption.

8. THAT this By-law and the policy, subject to the about exemptions, shall require that employees wear a Non-Medical Mask / Face Covering when working in the enclosed space within the Public Place.

9. THAT this By-law and the policy shall not require employees or members of the public to provide proof of any of the exemptions set out above.

10. THAT the Operator shall conspicuously post at all entrances to the Public Place clearly visible signage containing the following text:

ALL PERSONS ENTERING OR REMAINING IN THESE PREMISES SHALL WEAR A NON-MEDICAL MASK OR FACE COVERING WHICH COVERS THEIR NOSE, MOUTH AND CHIN AS REQUIRED UNDER THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF HALTON BY-LAW 47-20.

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO WEAR A NON-MEDICAL MASK / FACE COVERING IN ENCLOSED PUBLIC PLACES WITHIN HALTON REGION:

i. the person is under three years of age chronologically;

ii. the person is under three years of age developmentally and they refuse to wear a Mask or Face Covering and cannot be persuaded to do so by their caregiver;

iii. the person has an underlying medical condition where wearing a Mask or Face Covering would inhibit the person’s ability to breathe in any way;

iv. the person may experience a negative impact to their emotional well-being or mental health;

v. the person has a developmental disability which inhibits their ability to wear a mask or face covering;

vi. the person has a disability whereby the wearing of a mask or face covering would limit their ability to reasonably communicate with others or otherwise present a hardship for a person or persons assisting the individual;

vii. the person is unable to place or remove a Mask or Face Covering without assistance;

viii. employees and agents of the person responsible for the Public Place within an area designated for them and not for public access, or within or behind a physical barrier;

Please be respectful of the rights of individuals who are exempt from wearing a mask in conformity with the exemptions provided in the By- law.

To report an incident of noncompliance, contact the Halton Regional Police Service COVID19 Hotline: 905-825-4722.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE CALL 311.

11. THAT the Operator shall ensure that all persons working at the Public Place are trained in the requirements of the policy and this By-law.

12. THAT every person who contravenes any provision of this By-law is guilty of an offence, and on conviction, is liable to a fine as provided for in the Provincial Offences Act.

13. THAT the following definitions shall apply in this By-law:

a) “Non-Medical Mask/Face Covering” means a mask, balaclava, bandana, scarf, cloth or other similar item that covers the nose, mouth and chin without gapping;

b) “Operator” means a person or organization which is responsible for or otherwise has control over the operation of a Public Place;

c) “Public Place” means all places that the public has access to within the following:

a. premises or any portion thereof which are used as a place of business for the sale or offering for sale of goods or services;

b. churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, or other places of worship;

c. community centres including indoor recreational facilities;

d. libraries, art galleries, museums, aquariums, zoos and other similar facilities;

e. community service agencies providing services to the public, including municipal administrative buildings;

f. banquet halls, convention centres, arenas, stadiums, and other event spaces;

g. premises utilized as an open house, presentation centre, or other facility for real estate purposes;

h. common areas of hotels, motels and other short-term rentals, such as lobbies, elevators, meeting rooms or other common use facilities;

i. concert venues, theatres, cinemas, casinos, and other entertainment facilities; and

j. public transportation and private transportation services (such as taxis, private limousine services, Uber, Lyft and other similar ride programs).

14. THAT despite Section 13c) above, the following premises are not a Public Place for the purposes of this By-law, even if they would otherwise fall within the definition of a Public Place:

a) schools, post-secondary institutions, and child care facilities, correction centres and jails;

b) hospitals, independent health facilities and offices of regulated health professionals;

c) staff-only areas within a Public Place;

d) court facilities and professional offices where clients receive purchased services (such as lawyer or accountant office) that are not open to members of the public except by appointment;

e) indoor areas of a building accessible to only employees; and

f) indoor/outdoor day care and day camps.

15. THAT this By-law shall not be interpreted so as to conflict with a Provincial or Federal statute, regulation, or instrument of a legislative nature, including an order made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

16. THAT this By-law comes into force seven (7) days after the date of enactment (being 12:01am on July 22, 2020).

17. THAT this By-law shall be deemed to no longer be in effect, and revoked at 11:59pm on November 30, 2020, unless extended by Regional Council.

READ and PASSED this 15th day of July, 2020.

REGIONAL CHAIR

REGIONAL CLERK

Report No. LPS59-20

By Pepper Parr

July 17, 2020

BURLINGTON, ON

 

When the story of how Burlington coped with the first pandemic in 100 years is written the Great Mask Debate will have a chapter of its own. Covid19 is now well embedded in the lexicon of the world.

One of the features of the Burlington approach to keeping the spread of infections down was to set $10,000 aside to pay for masks that would be distributed to people who were not in a position to buy masks.

The by law that requires people to wear “when inside an enclosed Public Place “comes into effect on Monday July 20th, 2020.

The Region has a similar bylaw that comes into effect on July 22nd.

To the best of our knowledge the city does not yet have a supply of masks nor does there appear to be a policy in place as to who will distribute those masks – when they are available.

The Gazette along with a number of community groups produced the parts that went into the sewing of 3000 masks.

UPDATE

Kwab Ako-Adjei, Director, Corporate Communications & Government Relations informed the Gazette that “we are working on a plan for free masks. We will announce that plan once it’s complete.

“In the meantime, we have let residents know that many bricks and mortar stores and online retailers sell masks, and many small businesses that sell them on social media platforms like Facebook.”