Quebec clarifications on wearing face coverings

There have been a few recent incorrect newspaper articles about the requirements of wearing face coverings in Quebec for retail employees.

The Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) issued a clarification press release to confirm that the requirement to wear face covering for the population has no impact on workers. However, workers who cannot keep the minimum distance of 2 meters and who are NOT protected by a physical barrier must wear personal protective equipment, either a procedural mask (and NOT a fabric face covering) and eye protection (protective glasses or visor covering the face up to the chin).

If the worker respects the principles of distancing as set out in the CNESST guidelines, a worker may, on their own initiative, decide to wear a face covering. This practice is strongly recommended, but not mandatory. However, the face covering can in no way replace the wearing of personal protective equipment when required.