Burlington mayor addresses concerns over city’s mandatory mask bylaw
Published July 19, 2021 at 4:29 pm
A Burlington resident recently expressed their concerns about the mandatory mask bylaw in Burlington as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The concern was posted to Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward’s “Monday Mailbag,” an initiative that was launched to answer questions from the public.
“COVID-19 case numbers are low, vaccination rates are only increasing, and restrictions are being lifted — so why do I still have to wear a mask? When will the mask mandate be lifted?” read the concern.
Here’s what Meed Ward had to say.
“Throughout the pandemic, the Mayor, Council and City of Burlington have followed the advice of our Halton Medical Officer of Health (MOH) and will continue to do so. Mask mandates and bylaws are currently in effect at the City of Burlington, the Region of Halton and the Province of Ontario,” said Meed Ward.
The City of Burlington’s mandatory mask bylaw, as well as the Regional mask bylaw, are both currently in effect until Dec. 31, 2021, unless lifted earlier or extended further.
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At a recent Halton Regional Council meeting, Meed Ward raised the question of when the mask bylaw could potentially be lifted.
However, the Halton Minister of Health has stated that it will still be needed for the months ahead.
“There is currently no indication from the Province or Region that the mask mandates will be lifted soon, and the City of Burlington will be looking to lift our mask bylaw in concert with the other government bodies,” said Meed Ward.
“Decisions throughout the pandemic have been made and based on a multiple of health indicators, including (but not exclusive to) hospital capacity, infection rates, positivity rates and vaccination rates.”
Meed Ward concluded by stating that for now, it is “critically important” to keep masks as an additional form of protection.
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