KFL&A Public Health Orders Face Coverings Mandatory in Commercial Establishments

Kingston, ON – Today, Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health issued an Order requiring all individuals to wear a face covering (e.g., homemade or purchased mask, scarf or bandana) when entering and accessing services at any commercial establishments in the KFL&A area. This Order is effective on Saturday, June 27 at 12:01 a.m.

“We have seen more people wearing face coverings voluntarily and making them mandatory reinforces best practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Kieran Moore.  “We are a welcoming and caring community that want our businesses to succeed. With this added protection of making face coverings mandatory I hope that this will help reassure everyone that it is safe to access commercial establishments and to continue to support our local businesses.”

In accordance with this order, all individuals must wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth when entering and accessing services in any commercial establishments. Wearing a face covering is not a substitute for physical distancing and hand washing; instead, the face covering helps to protect others around you. Along with the face covering, continue to protect yourself by adhering to physical distancing guidelines and proper hand hygiene. To learn more about how to properly wear and use face coverings, go to kflaph.ca/MaskFAQ.

Consistent with this Order, the following individuals may be exempt from wearing a face covering:

• a child is under the age of two years;
• a child is under the age of five years either chronologically or developmentally and they refuse to wear a face covering and cannot be persuaded to do so by their caregiver;
• wearing a face covering would inhibit the person’s ability to breathe in any way; or
• for any other medical reason, the person cannot safely wear a face covering such as, but not limited to, respiratory disease, cognitive difficulties, or difficulties in hearing or processing information.

A commercial establishment includes those portions of a fixed commercial premise that are openly accessible to the public and that are used for the purposes of offering goods or services for sale to members of the public and include a mall or other structure containing a number of commercial premises. The following list do fall within the definition of a Commercial Establishment:

• Retail stores
• Convenience stores
• Malls or plazas
• Food premises
• Personal service settings
• Grocery stores or bakeries
• Churches or faith settings
• Farmer’s markets
• Areas of a mechanic’s shop, garage, or repair shop which are open to the public
• Libraries
• Community centres
• Private transportation (e.g., bus, taxi or limo)
• Public transportation (e.g., bus or train)
• Day camps (i.e., staff only)
• Day care centres (i.e., staff only)
• Business offices that are open to the public

The following list do not fall within the definition of a Commercial Establishment:

• Schools
• Business offices that are not open to members of the public
• Professional offices where clients receive purchased services (e.g., lawyer’s or accountant’s offices) that are not open to members of the public
• Hospitals
• Independent health facilities
• Offices of regulated health professionals

The areas of the commercial establishment that are subject to the face coverings requirements of this Order are:

• Any areas in which customers interact with one another or with staff members, or
• Any areas that are open or accessible to members of the public.

The exception is where the area is outside, whether or not the area is covered (e.g., restaurant patio).

Any failure to comply with the enforcement of wearing masks in commercial establishments is an offence for which you may be liable, on conviction, to a fine up to $5,000 for every day or part of a day on which the offence occurs or continues.

To learn more about COVID-19, how you can protect yourself and what to do if you suspect you may be at risk, visit www.Kflaph.ca/Coronavirus or visit www.covid-19.ontario.ca to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.