THUNDER BAY – The president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce welcomes the city’s mandatory mask bylaw for indoor public spaces.
However, Charla Robinson said it’s not up to local businesses to enforce the new rule, which went into effect on Friday. Instead, businesses should act as educators to those who refuse to comply with the regulation for personal reasons or can’t for medical reasons.
“Really, what we’re trying to make businesses understand is that they are not required to enforce. This is an education piece. It’s the health unit that is telling these properties that it is a public space and that there needs to be a mask policy, that they need to have signage, that they need to remind customers that there is this policy across the district,” Robinson said.
“But it’s not up to businesses owners to be the heavy. They’re not there to be the police of this. It’s a gentle reminder that this is in place.”
Robinson, who supports the mask rules, said the last thing she wants to see is business owners or employees getting into confrontations with members of the public.
South of the border, and even in Ontario, clashes have turned violent, even leading to shootings in both Canada and the United States.
The best advice is to not assume the reason why a customer won’t don a mask.
“We know there are reasons why folks sometimes aren’t able to wear a mask. And there are some folks who have a hard time with the concept of putting on a mask. We don’t want the business owner to be put into that confrontational situation,” Robinson said.
According to the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, masks are now required in all indoor public spaces. This includes stores, restaurants, gyms and other places where the public can routinely be expected to be.
Exceptions to the temporary rule include children under two, children under five with developmental disabilities who won’t wear a mask, and anyone with a medical issue that prevents them from wearing one. Customers do not have to disclose the latter.
Robinson said the gentle approach, in the long run, will likely lead to higher compliance.
Thunder Bay Mayor Bill Mauro, who considered a city-issued mask bylaw before the health unit stepped in, said he knows some people are still struggling with the concept, but encouraged them to give masks a try.
In the long run, it will help keep COVID-19 at bay, and allow the economy to fully reopen and put more people back to work.
“I think by-and-large it will be well respected and accommodated from the community’s perspective. There’s been concern expressed about us having no cases and very low numbers, but other jurisdictions in similar situations have made this decision as well,” Mauro said.
“This is about what’s going to happen in the fall and beyond and being proactive. I think we’re in a good place and we’re trying to stay in a good place.”
Mauro said he thinks most people believe a second wave is coming. Thunder Bay, to date, has had just 93 cases, with 92 resolved and one death. The district last week entered into Phase 3 of Ontario’s reopening plan, which allowed indoor dining, the return of gyms and increased gathering sizes both indoors and out. He also expects there will be more travel.
“We’re creating a bit of a soup here, where who knows? We’re in a good situation, but that could change quickly. We all know that.”
