Grey County’s proposed bylaw on face coverings is expected to include fines for non-compliance, tampering with public signage and a fine specific to business owners for failing to post appropriate signage.
“What we're looking to do here is to continue to make sure that the public understands how important it is that we all play a role in doing the right thing and preventing infection,” said Grey County CAO, Kim Wingrove.
Last week, Wingrove provided a verbal update to county council members on the proposed draft bylaw.
The core concepts of the draft asks that individuals over the age of two wear a face covering - which covers the chin, mouth and nose - in all enclosed public spaces, except where an ordered exception may be in place.
Wingrove explains that exemptions for certain locations could come from the Medical Officer of Health, who can issue an exemption for a single operator, or a type of facility.
Under the proposed bylaw, if an individual is responsible for a dependant, they must ensure a mask is worn. Individuals are also prohibited from tampering with public signage and making false statements.
The draft bylaw also outlines requirements for facility operators or business owners, noting that operators would be responsible for developing an in-facility exemption policy, if necessary, and posting the appropriate signage.
“It's my understanding that signage should be posted in the entryway that advises people so that they're aware before they come into the business,” Wingrove explained.
Councillors asked staff to consider creating signage or stickers to hand out to area businesses, in order to improve consistency, allow for easy recognition and take the onus off of the operators to produce the verbage and physical signs.
The draft bylaw also includes a clause in regards to business owners who may be confronted with customers not wearing masking, asking them to "take reasonable steps to provide service another way or assist the customer to leave the premises."
“If there's an opportunity to rework that section of the draft, so that the onus does not fall on the shopkeepers, that would be much appreciated,” said councillor Christine Robinson, mayor of the municipality of West Grey.
“Through this time period I've received a number of comments from shopkeepers. And that certainly is of concern to many. If there's an ability to put the responsibility on all of us, rather than focus on the owners of various businesses, that would be appreciated,” Robinson continued.
Wingrove noted that county staff would take it under consideration.
“We don’t want anybody to be putting themselves in a risky situation because of this, so that's why there is signage there, to tell people what to do. Staff can only ask people or remind people, but beyond that, at that point, now you're looking at notifying someone if you feel it's important to get some additional assistance,” Wingrove said.
Proposed fines for face covering offences range from $125 to $500.
Tampering with signs could cost you anywhere from $250 to $1,000, and for business owners, failure to post signage may result in a $250 per-day fine.
“Like all bylaws, they're undertaken on a complaint basis. I don't think there's any expectation that any of our enforcement personnel are going out and seeking to undertake enforcement. I anticipate that this is something that would be done because there was an issue,” Wingrove added.
The draft bylaw was developed in consultation with the Grey Bruce Health Unit, as well as Bruce County in an effort to achieve regional consistency.
The draft bylaw is currently only a precautionary measure in the event that further control and enforcement is required when the current order from the Medical Officer of Health expires on Oct. 8.
“Going from an order to a bylaw will allow enforcement to take place across Grey and Bruce, consistently, by a wider group of actors - not only the health inspectors, but by law enforcement officers, police, etc,” Wingrove explained.
Council members asked staff to take into consideration shop owners who may be restricted by health issues from wearing a face covering themselves, as well as the possibility of including a clause on planned gatherings.
“It's become obvious that some people are organizing gatherings in opposition to the safety measures. And I'd hate to see all the hard work that our citizens have put in, in keeping us safe, derailed by somebody who organizes a party,” said the Town of the Blue Mountains Mayor, Alar Soever. “I think this is a great idea to have a bylaw. Certainly, it allows better enforcement.”
Following a public discussion, council members reverted to a closed session where consultation with the county’s legal team took place over the enforcement aspects of the draft bylaw.
County staff will now continue the drafting process. The proposed bylaw will return to the council table at a future meeting. The next Grey County council and committee of the whole meetings are scheduled for Sept. 24.
