Region of Waterloo council repeals bylaw requiring face coverings

Region of Waterloo council has voted to repeal a bylaw requiring face coverings in indoor public places.

As of March 21, face coverings will no longer be required in the following public places in the Ontario region:

• Stores and shopping malls.
• Indoor areas of restaurants and bars.
• Professional services such as counselling, personal care, funeral homes, repair and rental services.
• Lobby areas of commercial buildings.
• Enclosed common areas of multi-residential buildings.
• Hotels and motels.
• Laundromats.
• Indoor areas of fitness centres, gyms and recreational sports facilities.
• Indoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas.
• Arcades and other indoor amusement facilities.
• Museums, galleries, historic sites, etc.
• Places of worship.
• Municipal buildings.
• Inside taxis, limousines and other ride-sharing vehicles.

Face coverings will still be required on public transportation, in bus shelters and on transit platforms across the region until Ontario removes this requirement. It's expected this will change April 27.

Schools, hospitals, and other provincial and federal buildings were never included in the region's bylaw, and are not affected by the change.

3 criteria have been met, say regional staff

In a report that went before council Wednesday, regional staff recommended repealing the mask bylaw. The report said this advice was based on three things:  

• The risks of COVID-19 have been reduced at a local and provincial level.
• The province plans to remove its mandatory mask requirements, in line with guidance from the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
• COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics are available and vaccines have been broadly distributed.

Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region's medical officer of health, said she plans to continue recommending people wear masks during "periods of elevated risk," such as during possible future waves of COVID-19 or during the winter months.

"My understanding is we are shifting into a period of the pandemic in which we do have a level of population immunity that allows us to approach the managing of the pandemic mostly through our recommendations," said Wang, who also continues to recommend staying home while sick and improving ventilation in public spaces and in one's home.

Parents of immunocompromised kids worried

Two mothers of immunocompromised children spoke to council ahead of the vote, asking them to keep the mask mandate a little while longer.

Teresa McQuillain said her child has previously been ventilated in the pediatric ICU with influenza, and that she would never wish this experience on another family.   

"We have spent the past two years isolating with extremely limited contacts, myself, unable to work, homeschooling and only going out to access essential services," said McQuillin, who urged council to extend the bylaw at least until children under five can be vaccinated.

"I cannot restrict our life any more than I already have for the past two years."

Samantha Estoesta said she was fine with repealing the mask bylaw in places like bars and restaurants, but asked council to maintain it in "essential places" like grocery stores and pharmacies.

"I am asking you to do your part to keep my child safe," said Estoesta, whose three-year-old is also immunocompromised. 

Respect those who keeping wearing masks, says Redman

Speaking to reporters after the council meeting, Regional Chair Karen Redman said repealing the bylaw doesn't mean people can't still choose to wear a mask if they want to.

"I hope everybody will be very considerate and understand that different people will have different reactions, and there will be people that choose to continue to wear masks," said Redman.

Businesses can also choose to require masks if they want to, or to require them on particular days, Redman said.

Another delegate, Naomi Pickersgill, spoke in favour of repealing the mandate. Pickersgill said she might continue to wear a mask in certain situations, such as at the grocery store, but wanted the option to go mask-free when she feels it's safe.

 "It's time for us to decide for ourselves what to do," she said.

Masks still required in hospitals

Ahead of Wednesday's council meeting, hospitals in Waterloo region and Wellington County issued a joint statement to remind people masks are still required and will remain so until at least April 27.

"The pandemic is not over yet," said a statement from Lee Fairclough, president, St. Mary's General Hospital and Waterloo Wellington hospital regional lead, COVID-19 response.

"Across Waterloo Region and surrounding communities, we are still seeing higher rates of infection. We want to ensure that we continue following the steps that we know we need to take to protect vulnerable patients, and keep our staff healthy, working and able to provide care."

People entering hospitals will still be asked to wear a hospital-issued mask, show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, sanitize their hands and physically distance as much as possible.

Masks will also continue to be required in other healthcare settings, along with long-term care homes and congregate care settings for the time being.