THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) will be requiring the use of masks or face coverings by all members of the public, employees, and others in enclosed public spaces including indoor settings accessible to the public.
With TBDHU entering into Stage 3 of the provincial reopening this Friday, Dr. Janet DeMille, Medical Officer of Health, today is issuing instructions to employers, business owners and operators to have a policy in place requiring the use of a mask or face covering for any person entering into the public areas of their premises. These instructions are being issued under Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act and come into effect on July 24, 2020, at 12:01 am.
“We have done well in navigating the reopening process so far; however, there have been outbreaks in other jurisdictions that have impacted workplaces, businesses, and the community. That risk is there for us too,” says Dr. Janet DeMille, Medical Officer of Health. “As we continue to reopen, there will be increased opportunities for people to have closer contact with one another in enclosed spaces where transmission is more likely to happen. People and goods also travel daily in this region. It is important that we adopt all necessary measures to protect ourselves and our communities against the spread of COVID-19 in our area.”
TBDHU is taking this approach now because of the reopening and wanting to promote and normalize mask use especially in advance of an expected increase in the virus sometime this fall. The use of face coverings provides an additional layer of protection on top of the other public health measures including physical distancing, hand washing, and staying home if you are sick or have symptoms.
TBDHU will continue to support businesses and workplaces in their reopening and in adopting all the measures that need to be put in place to protect their workers and the public. Resources and support specific to these masking instructions will also be provided.
Visit the TBDHU Website for more information or contact TBDHU at (807) 625-5900 or toll-free: 1-888-294-6630.
