Face Covering By-law

 By-law details

• A Code of Use by-law that requires face covering on transit. (By-law 20-034) (By-law 20-051)
• A by-law that requires face covering in enclosed public places. (By-law 20-035) (By-law 20-052)

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
• Enclosed common areas of multi-residential 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
• Inside taxis, limousines and other ride sharing vehicles 

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

By-law exemptions (businesses and individuals)

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.

Responsibility of business owners/operators

• Business owners/operators are responsible for posting clearly visible by-law signage at all entrances. Please see below for how to access posters and decals:
• Face covering by-law posters – print here
• Posters for common areas in multi-residential buildings – Print here
• Decals for taxis – contact Licensing and Enforcement Services
• 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.

What if someone is not in compliance?

• 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.  

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 Region and its partners will not be doing active enforcement and ticketing related to these by-laws at this time. We continue to take an education-first approach, asking people to comply with the by-law and educating them on the importance of protecting each other. We are appealing to residents’ goodwill and willingness to cooperate for the greater good.

If you have concerns about someone not wearing a face covering, please keep in mind that there are a number of exemptions to the by-law and there is no requirement for people to prove their condition or disability. Many disabilities are invisible: residents and business owners should take people at their word and be kind and respectful.

If you have a concern related to the face covering by-law, please fill out the by-law feedback form and your feedback will be sent to the appropriate people.

We are asking that businesses and residents refrain from reporting individual non-compliance issues at this time as we all get used to the new rules. If non-compliance is significant and ongoing, please call our Regional Contact Centre at 519-575-4400. 

If you have a concern related to the face covering by-law, please fill out the form below and your feedback will be sent to the appropriate people.

Face covering by-law feedback form

COVID-19 spreads mainly from person-to-person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Droplets can travel up to 2 metres (6 feet) so wearing a face covering that covers your mouth, nose, and chin will help prevent respiratory droplets from reaching others or landing on surfaces.

Wearing a face covering when in public spaces protects others from your respiratory droplets. This is especially important in situations where physical distancing is often difficult or inconsistent such as commercial establishments.

Face coverings must be used in combination with good hand hygiene, not touching your face and physical distancing whenever possible.

Yes, a face covering that creates, as per the bylaw, a seal or "barrier to limit the transmission of respiratory droplets” meets the requirements of the by-law, even if it does not completely cover the chin.

• 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.

How can customers who are unable to wear face masks be accommodated at establishments with their own policy in place? 

While the face covering by-law does not require businesses to turn away customers who are unable to wear face coverings, some businesses have chosen to put their own policies in place, mandating face coverings in their establishments. In many cases these policies have been put into place to protect the business’ employees.

Customers who are unable to wear a face covering should feel free to reach out to local businesses to see how their needs can be accommodated. In most cases, businesses will be happy to ensure the customer receives the product or service in another way, whether via phone, curbside pick up, or meeting in an outdoor setting.  

• 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
• Enclosed common areas of multi-residential 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 
• Inside taxis, limousines, and other ride sharing vehicles

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

The by-laws do not have jurisdiction in:

• 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

Note: many of these businesses/facilities have their own requirements for masks.

Face coverings are required to enter, leave, and for the washroom / general open public areas.  Face coverings are not required in the seating areas may be removed for eating and drinking.

Do patrons on a patio need to wear a face covering if they use the inside washroom of the restaurant?

Yes, patrons entering indoor hallways and washrooms of a restaurant or bar must put on a face covering.  They can take off the face covering when returning to the outdoor patio.

Athletes engaged in a sport or other strenuous physical activity are not required to wear face coverings. However, players should wear face coverings between shifts or when sitting within the bench area.  

Coaches should wear a face covering unless engaged in the sport during a practice.

Face coverings are required by the by-law if the indoor gym facility is open to the public. Masks are not required while athletes/coaches/trainers are engaged in sports or other strenuous activity.

Face coverings are required within the public areas of indoor recreational facilities and municipal buildings including the entrance and pool deck.  A face covering is not required while swimming or for children under the age of five. 

No. The worship leader is not required to wear a face covering while leading the service. However, the worship leader would need to wear a face covering if in the public area for congregation.

No. Child care facilities and day camps are exempt. The Province is best able to set the rules and guidelines for child care and camp operators in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Face Covering By-law applies only to indoor places that are accessible to the general public.

Do I need to wear a face covering attending a wedding at a place of worship?

Do I need to wear a face covering attending a visitation at a funeral home?

Yes. People attending a visitation at a funeral home need to wear a face covering. 

No. The 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. Decals and 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.

Residents must supply their own face covering. Some business owners/operators will supply masks but they are not required to do so. 

There are many ways for residents who cannot afford a mask to receive one at no cost. These include:

• Most local social service agencies
• The Welcome Spaces at Regional buildings (when they re-open)
• Grand River Transit
• Cambridge Memorial Hospital (at main entrance and Medical Day Care entrance)
• Emergency shelters

The United Way Waterloo Region Communities is collecting donations and organizing the distribution of free fabric and disposable masks. More details will be available soon at www.uwaywrc.ca. If you are able to donate masks, please contact the United Way.

Will the face covering by-law be enforced?

By-law Enforcement continues to take an education-first approach, asking people to comply with the by-law and educating them on the importance of protecting each other. We are appealing to residents’ goodwill and willingness to cooperate for the greater good.

Do I still need to stay at least 2 metres (6 feet) away from people if wearing a face covering?

This is ideal and should be practiced whenever possible. Wearing a face covering is an important additional measure, especially when physical distancing is not possible. Continue to practice other health measures such as washing your hands frequently.

Do I have to show proof that I am exempt from the by-law?

No proof is required to show you are exempt from wearing a face covering. The expectation is that individuals who self-identify as exempt should be allowed into an enclosed public place.

How do I report someone for not wearing a face covering?

When will this by-law end?

Yes, face coverings are required to be worn but only in the indoor common areas of the apartment buildings and townhouse complexes.  Examples of indoor common areas include, but are not limited to: lobbies, hallways, elevators, stairwells, laundry rooms, and community rooms.  Face coverings are not required in private residential units or in outdoor common areas.  The requirement for face coverings apply to apartment buildings and townhouse complexes even if such are condominiums, co-operatives, community housing or if access to the indoor common areas are restricted to residents only.  The landlord or designate is responsible for posting signs at entrances.

Need a sign for common areas in your building? Print here.

Starting Sept. 28th, all passengers in taxis, limousines, and other ride sharing vehicles are required to wear a face covering while in the vehicle, including cars equipped with a barrier between the front and back seats. A driver is not required to wear a face covering when there are no passengers in the vehicle or when there is a physical barrier between the driver and the passenger.

If you need a decal, please contact Licensing and Enforcement Services.