Masks are mandatory in Hamilton: Here's what you need to know

As Hamilton moves into Stage 3 reopening, keeping those respiratory droplets in check is going to be a big task. And the city wants you to help.

With larger gatherings and more open indoor public spaces on the horizon, wearing a mask is more important than ever.

The city would like to encourage all residents who are able to wear a mask or face covering to do so," says spokesperson Jacqueline Durlov.

And so it was written in the new mandatory mask bylaw, in effect as of Monday: With some exceptions, all persons, including customers and/or visitors entering an enclosed premise are required to wear a mask or face covering while in the enclosed space."

Not only are face coverings mandatory in indoor public spaces, but it is very important for people to wear their masks properly," Durlov says.

Masks as chin straps, dangling from your ear, under your nose or on your forehead just won't do. Face coverings need to cover your mouth, nose and chin without any gaping holes.

Under city guidelines, non-medical masks or face coverings should be the right size to fit securely over your mouth and nose. Reusable masks need to maintain their shape after washing and they need to be made of multiple layers of woven material.

Non-medical masks aren't perfect for protecting the wearer from COVID-19, according to Canada's public health agency.

But, on top of hygiene and physical distancing, mask-wearing protects people around you from your respiratory droplets, because you may have coronavirus and not know it.

Those respiratory droplets get filtered by your mask, so washing a reusable mask and throwing out a disposable one after each use or when they get dirty is vital.

Masks should be touched as little as possible when they're being worn and only on the straps.

And it's important to wash your hands when they're put on or taken off.

Masks should not be shared.

For the next few weeks, the city will be focusing on education (and) working as ambassadors to obtain voluntary compliance" with the new face-covering rules, Durlov says.

Public health inspectors will continue on with their regular inspections and education duties. As well, bylaw (officers) will continue with their regular enforcement and education."

But masking is not for everyone. Kids under the age of two are exempt and the city asks for people to be respectful of people that can't wear face coverings due to health, age or other reasons.

The city is also asking people who can't wear masks to consider other options instead of going into busy public places: like curbside pickup or off-peak service hours.

Durlov says a self-declaration of exemption is acceptable and sufficient" for those unable to wear face coverings.

People will be expected to wear masks in restaurants and bars, Durlov says, but the mask can be temporarily removed to allow a patron to eat or drink."

She says the city will work with community support agencies to increase accessibility of face coverings for those who have financial barriers. Currently the HSR service provides non-medical masks free of charge for its users."

Wearing face coverings does not replace the need for proper hygiene and physical distancing during the pandemic.

Jeremy Kemeny is a Hamilton-based web editor at The Spectator. Reach him via email: jkemeny@thespec.com