Ontario’s Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Health Unit mandates face coverings

A face covering is required for any customer, patron, employee or visitor when entering and while on the premises of any commercial establishment in the Wellington, Dufferin and Guelph region, effective 12:01 a.m. on June 12, 2020 and will be in effect until rescinded. Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health, has issued an order under Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act. This announcement was made without consulting stakeholders.

The following definitions apply to this Order 

• A Person means any customer, patron, employee or visitor, who enters the Establishment. Commercial Establishment and Establishment means a commercial premise used for the purposes of offering goods or services to members of the public and includes a mall or other structure containing a number of commercial premises. A Face Covering means a medical mask or a non-medical mask or other face coverings such as a bandana, a scarf or cloth that covers the mouth, nose and chin ensuring a barrier that limits the transmission of infectious respiratory droplets.

See related public advisory 

See map of Region of Region of Wellington, Dufferin and Guelph This direction comes only two days after the province of Ontario declared the region was safe to transition to Phase 2 where restrictions would be eased. RCC is working with the Ontario government to get greater clarity on the ruling and will provide updates as soon as possible.

While RCC understands the universality in mask wearing would improve health outcomes, we have been speaking with officials all day today to express our concerns that a ‘two-day’ notice is not enough time for retailers to prepare and that this is a social compliance issue that can’t fall solely on retailers to enforce. Moreover, failure to comply with this Order is an offence for which retailers may be liable, on conviction, to a fine up to $5,000.00 for every day or part of each day on which the offence occurs or continues. 

We are in discussion with local authorities, as well as the province, to ensure that our concerns are shared and to better understand how the Order will be applied fairly. 

For further information contact Sebastian Prins, Director, Government Relations (Ontario) at sprins@retailcouncil.org.