Chamber News

In a press release, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) Unit Acting Medical Officer of Health Doctor Alexa Caturay issued a letter to businesses, advising that by noon on Friday,, July 10 policies must be in place to ensure that individuals entering indoor commercial premises are wearing non-medical masks or face coverings.

“Wearing a non-medical mask or face covering is an additional preventive measure that, when combined with other infection control efforts, will help further reduce the spread of COVID-19," Caturay stated.

“Clear policies in commercial establishments will help reinforce use of non-medical masks and face coverings. We are committed to working together with local municipalities and businesses to implement appropriate, proactive, infection control approaches and keep our community safe.”

Under the Health Unit’s instructions, commercial establishments are premises that are openly accessible to members of the public and used for the purposes of offering goods or services for sale.

An establishment would include a mall or other structure containing commercial premises, including:

• retail stores, convenience stores, restaurants, personal services settings, grocery stores and bakeries, gas stations, indoor farmers’ markets, areas of mechanics’ shops/garages/repair shops, which are open to the public.

The areas of an establishment that are subject to the face covering requirements are:

• Any areas in which customers interact with one another or with staff members.
• Any areas that are open or accessible to members of the public.
• Except where: the area is outside, whether or not the area is covered (e.g. restaurant patio).

Questions?   Click here to access the FAQs published by HPEPH to help answer questions about the new face covering regulations.

CLICK HERE for more details on this new face covering requirement, including how to wear a mask safely.