Face Covering By-law for businesses

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Face coverings are required in the following locations, with some exceptions:

• Buses, bus shelters, ION trains and ION platforms
• Stores and shopping malls
• Indoor areas of restaurants and bars, with the exception of patrons consuming food/drink
• Professional services such as counselling, personal care, funeral homes, repair and rental services
• Lobby areas of commercial buildings
• Hotels and motels, with the exception of rented rooms
• Laundromats
• Indoor areas of fitness centres, gyms and recreational and sports facilities
• Indoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas
• Arcades and other indoor amusement facilities
• Museums, galleries, historic sites, etc.
• Places of worship
• Municipal buildings 

For more detail on exceptions, please consult the actual by-laws.

The by-laws do not cover:

• federal or provincial buildings
• colleges, universities or schools
• hospitals or health facilities
• offices of regulated health professionals
• employee-only areas of businesses and other buildings
• outdoor areas in streets, parks, sports facilities and patios
• Child care facilities and day camps
• Care facilities for the elderly and people with disabilities

The by-laws exempt:

• Children under the age of five.
• Those who are unable to wear a face covering as a result of a medical condition or a disability. Some disabilities are invisible so we ask people to respect that. The by-law does not require people to provide proof to support an exemption.
• A person engaged in a sport or other strenuous physical activity.
• A person who is assisting or accommodating someone who has a hearing loss or a hearing disability.
• A person who is consuming food/drink as part of a religious activity within a place of worship.

• Business owners/operators are responsible for posting clearly visible by-law signage at all entrances. Posters can be picked up at local city halls and township administrative offices or from local Business Improvement Area offices (beginning July 13). Window decals will be available the week of July 20. You can also print your own signs here.
• Employees should wear a face covering in the enclosed areas of their business/building that are open to the public.
• The by-laws exempt those who are unable to wear a face covering as a result of a medical condition or a disability. Some disabilities are invisible so we ask businesses and residents to be respectful and kind. The by-law does not require people to provide proof to support an exemption.

Provincial emergency orders still apply 

• Businesses are still required to comply with the emergency orders of the Province of Ontario in relation to your business as well as any recommendations from Public Health officials, including instructions on physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting.

• The by-law does not require business owners/operators to ensure by-law compliance.
• Business owners/operators should not engage in confrontations with members of the public who are not wearing a face covering. You may politely remind patrons of the By-law requirement.
• You can print by-law reminder cards to give to patrons. 
• Business owners/operators may wish to contact Region of Waterloo By-law Enforcement if non-compliance is significant and ongoing and additional educational resources and support are needed. Please complete this by-law feedback form or call the Region of Waterloo Contact Centre 519-575-4400. 

Any customer, patron, employee or visitor, who enters an enclosed public place must wear a mask except for those who are exempt.

The by-laws exempt:

• Children under the age of five.
• Those who are unable to wear a face covering as a result of a medical condition or a disability. Some disabilities are invisible so we ask people to respect that. The by-law does not require people to provide proof to support an exemption.
• A person engaged in a sport or other strenuous physical activity.
• A person who is assisting or accommodating someone who has a hearing loss or a hearing disability.
• A person who is consuming food/drink as part of a religious activity within a place of worship.

No. They by-law does not cover staff-only areas such as lunch rooms and storerooms. Employers may have their own policies related to employee-only areas.

Employees are required to wear a face covering in areas where customers interact with one another or with staff members or in any areas that are accessible to members of the public, such as:

• retail floor/aisles;
• cashier queues;
• service counter queues;
• publicly accessible washrooms.

Workplaces may have other safety measures in place like plexiglass barriers, enhanced cleaning and disinfection, and physical distancing.

Business owners/operators are responsible for posting clearly visible by-law signage at all entrances. Posters can be picked up at local city halls and township administrative offices or from local Chambers of Commerce (beginning July 13). You can also print your own signs here.

Businesses may also print by-law reminder cards to give to patrons.