The City of Winnipeg is set to make masks or face coverings mandatory in all city-operated facilities and on city vehicles, including Winnipeg Transit.
The masks will be required as of Saturday, in an attempt to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
“As we approach the fall season and children are returning back to school, higher volumes of people are expected on Winnipeg Transit and in City of Winnipeg facilities, and with those higher volumes of people, it will be increasingly difficult to maintain physical distancing,” said Mayor Brian Bowman.
“I hope to see Winnipeggers embrace this new measure and continue to support each other as we’ve seen throughout the pandemic.”
Jason Shaw, manager of the city’s Emergency Operations Centre, called the mask mandate a “reasonable measure” when used in combination with other precautions like hand-washing and social distancing.
“We’re asking Winnipeggers visiting our facilities and using public transit to do their part and wear a face mask to protect our most vulnerable residents.”
City staff have been instructed to let people know about the new measure if they aren’t wearing a mask but said Winnipeggers won’t be denied service for refusing to cover up.
Transit riders, however, could face a $100 fine for non-compliance, and the city said it may decide to implement enforcement if non-compliance becomes an issue.
To help residents get used to the new requirement, the city will be providing face masks to be distributed to members of the public in city buildings or on buses for the first two weeks of the mandate, or until supplies run out.
Romeo Ignacio, president of the union that represents Winnipeg Transit employees, welcomed the news but called on the city to make sure it will be able to provide masks beyond the first few weeks of the plan’s implementation.
“I think we all have to accept the fact that the pandemic is not going to go away and we have to learn to live with it,” he told 680 CJOB.
Ignacio said he was also glad to hear drivers won’t be left in charge of enforcing rules around masks, but said he still expect issues.
“We are concerned — it’s still going to happen — it’s not like you can stop people from complaining to the operators or the concern about passenger assaults or issues between passengers,” he said.
“We just have to make sure that as far as our operators are concerned that it’s not going to be enforced, and eventually with the masks being made available, people are going to be compliant.
“Because at the end of the day it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect ourselves and others from catching this virus.”