Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran is seen in a City produced video Monday, Nov. 2, 2020 announcing mandatory mask wearing inside all City facilities, including City Hall.
Image Credit: YOUTUBE
November 02, 2020 - 9:40 AM
Kelowna is now requiring all visitors to any City run indoor facilities to wear a mask effective today, Nov. 2.
That includes recreation facilities when passing through public spaces but masks can be taken off when participating in activities. Disposable masks will be available at entrance points.
The requirement comes with a video of Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran explaining the new rules and that City staff will also be wearing masks in certain places.
“All indoor staff not protected by physical barriers in public facing areas will be required to wear a mask,” Basran said in the three-minute video. “Our outdoor staff will also wear masks when interacting with others if appropriate physical distancing cannot be maintained.”
READ MORE: Kamloops mayor asks residents to wear masks inside City facilities
At the opening of the video, Basran talks about the surge in active COVID-19 cases from a low of 152 in June to more than 2,300 active cases.
The mask wearing requirement follows on the heels of provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry’s recommendation people wear masks in all public spaces. It is a strong suggestion, not an order.
During city council meetings, staff will be required to wear masks except when making presentations. City councillors will not have to wear them during council meetings because they now have barriers in place and can safely distance, Basran said.
He also encouraged residents to connect online at the City's website here.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan, later in the morning, announced similar requirements to wear masks in its facilities including its office on KLO Road, the dog pound on Weddell Place and the Environmental Education Centre in Mission Creek Park.
Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian announced last week a similar mandatory mask wearing policy at City facilities in that community.
- This story was updated at 1):42 a.m., Nov. 2, 2020 to add information from the regional district.
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