Expect the masking bylaw extended to spring 2022 in Mississauga, Brampton
Published September 2, 2021 at 5:50 pm
Peel Region’s Medical Officer of Health wants Mississauga and Brampton residents to keep wearing masks until the end of March next year.
In a recommendation that is being sent to politicians in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon, Dr. Lawrence Loh, Peel Region’s Medical Officer of Health, recommends that current mandatory mask bylaws by extended to March 31, 2022.
The current bylaw is set to expire at the end of this month.
Dr. Loh cites new data that shows that COVID-19 rates are on the rise again and that masking is a strong deterrent to the spread of the virus.
“Given the ongoing risks of COVID-19 to Peel residents, an extension of the Municipal Mandatory Face Covering Bylaws is necessary to help reduce the impact of the fourth wave,” Dr. Loh writes in his message to local councils.
As of August 30, Peel Region has seen a one-week 18 per cent increase in the number of COVID-19 cases due the fast-spreading Delta variant, according to health department data.
Videos
The masking bylaw requires everyone except very small children and those with certain medical conditions to wear a medical mask inside public indoor spaces
“While there are no content changes required to the municipal bylaws, it is recommended that the bylaws be extended through to March 31, 2022, at which point in time we expect a higher proportion of Peel residents will be vaccinated against COVID-19, including a significant proportion of the currently ineligible 5-11 year-old population,” Dr. Loh states.
Currently 74 per cent of the population age 12 and over is fully vaccinated in Peel Region.
Mississauga and Brampton councils will vote on the recommendation at upcoming meetings. Councillors have twice approved Dr. Loh’s recommendations to extend the masking bylaw.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising