In this latest COVID-19 update from Mayor Karin Terziano, recorded at the YourTV studio in Huntsville, a Canada Day message to residents, and details on mask-wearing in municipal facilities as they begin to reopen.
(See a transcript of Mayor Terziano’s message below the video.)
Hi I’m Mayor Karin Terziano and its Tuesday June 30th. I hope everyone is doing well.
I have just two quick messages for you today.
The first is to wish our community a happy Canada Day. I will miss handing out cupcakes tomorrow and gathering for fireworks but I will proudly celebrate our 153rd anniversary of confederation in a very small group. It’s a privilege to be a Canadian and a resident of Huntsville.
My second message today is with regard to mask wearing. I am receiving numerous emails and requests to make masks mandatory inside commercial spaces.
I fully support and encourage mask wearing by everyone when inside. Certainly, exemptions apply for young children and those with breathing difficulties. At this time, we do not have a bylaw to make this mandatory, however I encourage everyone and every business to make it a priority.
The premier has cited enforcement as the block to making it mandatory. Many municipalities either through their health units or bylaws are making their own mandatory rules.
To set the example, as we re open Town Hall on July 6th it will be signed “no entry without a mask”.
I have spoken with Dr Gardner the medical officer of health for Simcoe Muskoka and at this time there is not an anticipated order for mandatory masks. The wearing of masks while important needs to be done in conjunction with diligent hand washing, social distancing and very small gatherings. Our council will also further discuss this at our July 9th meeting.
Until that time, I encourage Huntsville to step up their mask wearing. It’s a small ask that could produce huge rewards.
To all residents and visitors to Huntsville, please have a safe Canada Day with your families and small groups.
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Please make masks mandatory indoors. This is the only way to “level the playing field” for businesses. Otherwise, store owners may fear loosing customers to stores that don’t care about their customers’ safety.
This should be a very simple matter. Your “lack of bylaw” excuse for not acting looks more like a lack of backbone.
I will no longer put my own health at risk by entering establishments that do not require masks to be worn.
It appears enforcement of such a mask wearing bylaw is being dubbed an issue. Maybe so but lets deal with those where there is a significant problem. Look at all the other bylaws and traffic laws that are not diligently enforced but have a positive impact on our society, ie speed limits, stop signs, noise etc. Lets try and lead by example.
I hope, that if necessary and legal, a new bylaw can be passed at Council requiring the use of masks in indoor facilities.