Mandatory Use of Non-Medical Mask or Face Covering within Signs Alive Inc.
Beginning Wednesday, July 22, 2020, every person five (5) years old or older (which includes, but is not limited to, owners, operators, employees, workers, visitors, patrons, and customers) must wear a Non-Medical Mask or Face Covering upon entering and remaining within Signs Alive Inc at 2284 Speers Road in Oakville, ON.
Such a Non-Medical Mask or Face Covering must cover the mouth, nose and chin. This is in accordance with The Regional Municipality of Halton By-law 47-20.
Other public health safety measures, such as physical distancing and hand washing, must still be practiced in conjunction with the wearing of a Non-Medical Mask / Face Covering.
The following exemptions from wearing a Non-Medical Mask or Face Covering shall apply, without proof required:
- The person has an underlying medical condition where wearing a Non-Medical Mask or Face Covering would inhibit the person’s ability to breathe in any way;
- The person may experience a negative impact to their emotional well-being or mental health;
- The person has a developmental disability which inhibits their ability to wear a Non-Medical Mask or Face Covering;
- The person has a disability whereby the wearing of a Non-Medical Mask or Face Covering would limit their ability to reasonably communicate with others or otherwise present a hardship for a person or persons assisting the individual;
- The person is unable to place or remove a Non-Medical Mask or Face Covering without assistance;
- Persons temporarily removing their Non-Medical Mask or Face Covering when necessary for receiving services (such as having a meal), or while actively engaging in an athletic or fitness activity; and
- Employees and agents of the person responsible for the Public Place within an area designated for them and not for public access, or within or behind a physical barrier.
Pursuant to the by-law, no person shall be discriminated against for not wearing a Non-Medical Mask or Face Covering due to an exemption.
Signs Alive Inc. will ensure training for all of its employees on the requirements of The Regional Municipality of Halton By-law 47-20. This training shall include instructions on how to respond in various circumstances, such as those listed below:
- A customer arrived without a Non-Medical Mask or Face Covering because they forgot or don’t have one;
- A customer who is exempt from wearing a Non-Medical Mask or Face Covering;
- A customer wanting more information about the policy and by-law;
- A customer who becomes aggressive about the new requirement;
- A customer wanting information about the importance of wearing a NonMedical Mask or Face Covering, the science on the use of masks, or other measures that can be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (such as physical distancing and hand washing);
- A customer asking about the availability of alcohol-based hand sanitizer (70- 90% alcohol concentration); and/or
- A customer who wants to know if they can be fined.
Signs Alive Inc. will ensure staff are provided with additional resources to aid in their ability to deal with any of the aforementioned situations. Resources such as the following can be provided to staff:
Signs Alive Inc. will ensure that a sign on the by-law, a copy of which is included as part of this document, is posted and visible to the public at all entrances to Signs Alive Inc. A sample mandatory Non-Medical Mask or Face Covering poster is available to download, print and post on The Regional Municipality of Halton website halton.ca.
ALL PERSONS ENTERING OR REMAINING IN THESE PREMISES SHALL WEAR A NON-MEDICAL MASK OR FACE COVERING WHICH COVERS THEIR NOSE, MOUTH AND CHIN AS REQUIRED UNDER THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF HALTON BY-LAW 47-20.
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO WEAR A NON-MEDICAL MASK/FACE COVERING IN ENCLOSED PUBLIC PLACES WITHIN HALTON REGION:
- The person has an underlying medical condition where wearing a Mask or Face Covering would inhibit the person’s ability to breathe in any way;
- The person may experience a negative impact to their emotional well-being or mental health;
- The person has a developmental disability which inhibits their ability to wear a mask or face covering;
- The person has a disability whereby the wearing of a mask or face covering would limit their ability to reasonably communicate with others or otherwise present a hardship for a person or persons assisting the individual;
- The person is unable to place or remove a Mask or Face Covering without assistance;
- Employees and agents of the person responsible for the Public Place within an area designated for them and not for public access, or within or behind a physical barrier;
____________________________________________________________
Please be respectful of the rights of individuals who are exempt from wearing a mask in conformity with the exemptions provided in the by-law.
To report an incident of noncompliance, contact the Halton Regional Police Service COVID-19 Hotline: 905-825-4722.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE BY-LAW, PLEASE VISIT HALTON.CA, EMAIL ACCESSHALTON@HALTON.CA OR CALL 311.
This policy has been created in compliance with The Regional Municipality of Halton By-law 47-20.