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By Dylana Kneeshaw

MANDATORY MASKS

Province backs mandatory mask rules with $230 fines for non-compliance

Nov 24, 2020 | 5:28 PM

VICTORIA — The province has extended enforcement around a recently implemented mask mandate – with $230 fines for those who refuse to follow the rules.

In a release today (Nov. 24), the province says the measures under the Emergency Program Act have been aligned with the provincial health officer’s guidance that masks must be worn in indoor public places.

Anyone without a mask in an indoor public place or who refuses to comply with the direction of an enforcement officer, including the direction to leave the space, or who responds with abusive or belligerent behaviour, may be subject to a $230 fine.

“We’ve entered a second wave of COVID-19 in British Columbia and additional steps need to be taken to protect our health,” says Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, “Now more than ever, we all need to follow the guidelines of the PHO. Last week, the PHO provided guidance that masks should be worn in all indoor public places. This new order under the EPA will ensure we have the tools necessary to enforce the mask mandate as recommended by the PHO.”

Masks are now required to be worn by all residents 12 years and older in indoor public settings. These include:

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• malls, shopping centres, coffee shops, and retail and grocery stores;
• liquor and drug stores;
• airports, city halls, libraries, community and recreation centres;
• restaurants, pubs and bars;
• places of public worship;
• on public transportation, in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle;
• common areas of office buildings, court houses, hospitals and hotels;
• common areas of sport and fitness centres when not engaged in physical activity; and
• common areas of post-secondary institutions and non-profit organizations.

These measures are enacted under the provincial state of emergency, using the extraordinary powers of the EPA in ongoing support of B.C.’s COVID-19 response.

This first order covers higher traffic areas where people who do not know each other would interact. Emergency Management BC anticipates more orders to bring the same requirements to common areas of apartment buildings, condos and workplaces.

Under this order, a mask is defined as a medical or non-medical mask that covers the nose and mouth. Face shields do not count as there is an opening below the mouth.

People who can’t wear a mask, put on or remove one themselves are exempt from the order. This could be due to psychological, behavioural, physical, cognitive, or mental impairment.

The province notes that masks are allowed to be temporarily removed in indoor public spaces to eat or drink. Masks can also be temporarily taken off while someone is receiving a personal or health service that requires its removal, or while participating in a sport or fitness activity that requires it.

To report contraventions of the mask order, people are asked to contact local bylaw offices. If they cannot reach bylaw or the person has become threatening or abusive, residents are asked to phone the non-emergency line for local police.