Tecumseh is joining Windsor and Leamington in approving its own mask bylaw within the municipality.
According to a release from the town, the policy follows the Order of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) Medical Officer of Health that face masks must be worn inside commercial/business establishments throughout Windsor-Essex.
Mayor Gary McNamara says the bylaw goes a little bit further to include municipal facilities.
“As we now are opening more and more under Stage 3, we thought it was important to protect our staff and our general public that are now participating in more and more indoor events in the community,” he says.
According to McNamara, the decision by council was unanimous.
“We have to remember that COVID-19 is not gone,” he adds. “It's still floating around in the community and we have to do everything we can to protect our folks.”
In his role as chair of the board at the local health unit, McNamara hopes all municipalities in Windsor-Essex get on board with their own bylaws.
“It's left to the leadership and the responsibility lies with every municipal council but if we are to take the advice from the medical professionals and the scientists,” he says. “It is the way to go.”
McNamra says under the bylaw that is already in effect, a person not wearing a mask can be denied entry to an indoor municipal facility.
The mask policy in Tecumseh does not apply to outdoor spaces, however it is recommended that anyone who is not able to physically distance use a face mask as further protection and practice proper hand hygiene.
— With files from AM800's Rob Hindi