The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is releasing detailed information about the mandated use of face-coverings.
Set to take effect next Friday, face-coverings will have to be worn in all ‘enclosed public spaces’ – including businesses, organizations and services accessed by the public and public transit.
Face-coverings should also be worn indoor or outdoor when physical distancing is not possible.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jim Chirico says it’s encouraging to see the ongoing low numbers for positive cases and improvements to the economy.
“However, as more businesses and public places open, the risk of spreading COVID-19 increases. Wearing a face-covering is an added way to protect the people around you,” he noted
The health unit describes a face covering as a cloth face covering, or other face-covering with preferably two layers of material that securely covers the nose, mouth, and chin and is in contact with the surrounding face without gapping in order to contain coughs, sneezes and respiratory spit and spray of the person wearing the face covering.
Face coverings such as a bandana, scarf, cloth, niqab or burka are not designed to filter air and do not have a number of layers; however, they are a better alternative if a face covering is not available.
When possible – a cloth mask should be worn underneath a head covering to ensure the best fit against the mask.
Medical masks, such as surgical, medical procedure face masks and N95 respirators should be reserved for use by health care workers and first responders.
The health unit also encourages the community to be ‘COVID kind’ and understand that not everyone can wear a face-covering safely and may need accommodation and understanding.
A face covering does not replace physical distancing and other protective health measures such as handwashing and isolating yourself when you have symptoms and arranging for COVID-19 testing.
More details can be found on the health unit’s website.