Brantford City Council extends Mandatory Face Coverings By-law

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Brantford City Hall

BRANTFORD, ON – The City of Brantford remains committed to ensuring the health and safety of residents of our community by implementing preventative measures and public health best practices to reduce the risk of Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 community spread.

At their City Council meeting held virtually this evening, Brantford City Council approved extending the City’s current Mandatory Face Coverings By-law that originally went into effect on July 17, 2020, with the next review to be conducted in November 2020.

Under the by-law, wearing a face covering is required in enclosed public indoor spaces in the city of Brantford, including all City of Brantford facilities and public transit. Council also directed that the duration of the by-law be reviewed on a bi-monthly to assess.

Based on public health best practices as recommended by Health Canada, the Ministry of Health and the Brant County Health Unit Medical Officer of Health, a combination of frequent hand washing, physical distancing, staying home when feeling unwell, and wearing a non-medical mask or cloth face covering are all important public health measures that when implemented together are proven to help contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness. The infection spreads from close contact (less than 6 ft) with someone with COVID-19 through their respiratory droplets or touching our face with virus contaminated hands. Respiratory droplets can include coughing, sneezing, talking or even normal breathing. When a person is singing, laughing or talking loudly, the droplets can travel even further than 2 metres/ 6 ft.

Furthermore, people who do not have symptoms (asymptomatic) or have yet to develop symptoms (pre-symptomatic) may unknowingly pass the infection to others. The highest risk for infection is with prolonged unprotected close contact (less than 6ft) with others.

Health Canada recommends the use of non-medical masks or cloth face coverings as an important preventative measure to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread.

“I think we’re looking at a challenging fall and winter, which means we need to use every tool in our arsenal until the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us”, said Mayor Kevin Davis during Council’s review of the by-law at tonight’s Council meeting. “I would hate to see us in a situation where we need to lock down again, so it’s important we practice every preventative measure at our disposal to protect each other and keep each other safe.”

“As demonstrated by the recent increase in case numbers across the province, COVID-19 remains a serious threat,” said Brian Hutchings City of Brantford Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Commander. “While studies continue to be updated regularly, evidence to date shows that continuing to practice wearing non-medical masks or cloth face coverings in indoor public spaces and public transit, provides further protection against spreading or contracting the virus – which is why the EOC strongly recommended that City Council extend the mandatory face covering by-law for the next two months, at which time another review will be conducted.”

Mingle Masks/Mouth Shields

Mingle masks are NOT compliant with the City’s Mandatory Face Coverings By-law  due to the gaps around the mask where virus droplets can escape easily.

Face Shields

Use of a face shield as an alternative to a non-medial mask or cloth face covering is compliant with the City's Mandatory Face Coverings By-law , however, at this time public health officials recommend cloth face coverings as a more effective option to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 virus transmission. 

Stay Vigilant

The City of Brantford stresses that all residents and businesses play a very significant role in keeping our community safe. Please continue to follow these important COVID-19 guidelines:

  • Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, cover coughs or sneezes, clean and disinfect surfaces and stay home if you are sick.
  • Practice physical distancing (6 ft apart from others) in public at all times and wear a face covering (non-medical mask), to reduce the risk of transmission in enclosed indoor public spaces. 

Additional updates regarding City programs and services, and the continuity of services are shared regularly on the City’s Facebook and Twitter pages and at brantford.ca/coronavirus.

City Council will review the by-law again in November, 2020.

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Media Contact: 

Maria Visocchi Director, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | Office: 519.759.4150 Ext. 5754 | mvisocchi@brantford.ca 

 

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