COLD LAKE - Masks won’t be mandatory in the City of Cold Lake.
City council voted against first reading of a proposed mandatory mask bylaw during a regular meeting on Oct. 27.
“Since the pandemic began, we have been closely following the advice and guidance of Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health,” said Mayor Craig Copeland in a press release. “After much discussion, it is council’s opinion that if mask use is to be made mandatory in public places, that decision should be made by Doctor Hinshaw and Alberta Health. We will not be mandating mask use at a municipal level in Cold Lake.”
Administration developed the proposal bylaw after looking into other municipalities who had passed their own, including the City of Airdrie, Town of Canmore, Sturgeon County, Strathcona County, and the City of Lethbridge, among others.
The use of mandatory masks in any public vehicle or place accessible to the public was discussed. Council could consider whether this could include all public places or only public facilities such as the Energy Centre, city hall, and transit buses.
The bylaw only being triggered if the city was put under ‘watch’ status but the provincial government, which occurs when there are at least 10 active cases and more than 50 active cases per 100,00 residents.
The possibility of $100 fines was also discussed by council, along with excluding children under the age of 10 years old from mandatory mask use.
Council voted against first reading of the proposed mandatory bylaw, even though the number of cases within the city has been steadily increasing.
City administration encouraged residents to visit www.alberta.ca/COVID for up-to-date information on active and recover coronavirus cases in Alberta by region.
