Face Covering By-law

Regional Council repealed the mask by-law requiring face coverings in enclosed public spaces, effective March 21, 2022. The by-law had been in place since July 2020.

Face coverings are still required on public transportation vehicles, bus shelter or platform at a transit platform across the region until the Province removes this requirement under the Reopening Ontario Act, anticipated to take place on April 27. Read more about face covering requirements for Grand River Transit.

Schools, hospitals and other provincial and federal facilities were not included in the by-law.

For more details, please consult the actual by-laws.

  • By-law 22-005, A By-law to Repeal By-law 20-035, A By-law to Require the Wearing of Face Coverings in Enclosed Public Places During the COVID-19 Pandemic, and its amending By-Laws 20-052 and 21-025

    By-law 22-006, A By-law to Repeal Provisions of By-law 13-050, A By-Law Respecting the Conduct of Persons Entering Upon Buildings, Grounds and Public Transportation Vehicles Owned or Occupied by The Regional Municipality of Waterloo, to Require the Wearing of Face Coverings in Enclosed Public Places of Regional Buildings, Enclosed Common Areas of Multi-Residential Buildings of the Region and Public Transit of the Region

  • A Code of Use by-law that requires face covering on transit. By-law 21-026 (Consolidation of By-law 13-050:  The Office Consolidation Version for Reference Only of the Region’s Code of Use By-law No. 13-050 as amended by By-law Nos. 18-056, 20-034, 20-051, 21-026). If there are any discrepancies between this consolidation and Bylaws 13-050, 18-056, 20-034 and 20-051, the By-laws shall prevail.)

FAQs 

Are face coverings a safe and effective way to prevent COVID-19?

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.
How do I choose and wear a face covering properly?
Read all about face coverings, including FAQs on our Public Health Face Covering webpage.

 

 

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