(PANOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

covid continues...

Red Deer city council to possibly extend masking bylaws again

May 22, 2021 | 11:30 AM

Masking bylaws return to Red Deer city council’s desks this Tuesday.

The City’s three bylaws, which cover transit, indoor public places and public vehicles, and civic facilities, are each set to expire June 1.

Council originally implemented the transit bylaw last August, and the other two in November. They were extended to May 31 before their original expiry date of Feb. 1, 2021.

Administration is recommending council agree to keep them all in place until September 30, though that doesn’t preclude them from being rescinded prior should COVID-19 become a non-issue along the way.

“An extension until the end of September is recommended to provide The City time to get a clear picture of the impact of provincial vaccination strategies, on case numbers and hospitalizations locally throughout the summer months into the new school year,” The City says in a release. “The Province is clear that vaccinations are the primary driver to get through the pandemic, and all Albertans who want to be vaccinated will have both doses by the end of September.”

Pitch ideas

Central Alberta entrepreneurs take part in Catalyst Incubator program

4h ago

numerous incidents

QEII Highway very icy Monday morning

8h ago

"unprecedented levels of discrimination"

Ponoka Pride Society dissolves, citing limited resources

8h ago

Administration is also asking council to consider an amendment to the definition of face coverings within the indoor places and public vehicle bylaw.

The proposed change would align it with the two others in removing face shields as an allowable option.

“They are proven to be less effective in protecting against droplets compared to cloth and medical grade disposable masks,” the recommendation says.

It was Dec. 8 when the provincial government issued a public health order mandating face coverings in all indoor public places. Between the government’s mandate and The City’s, whichever is more stringent takes precedent.

Tuesday’s council meeting begins at 1:30, with a public hearing scheduled for 4 p.m. on interim shelter services.

RELATED: Red Deer down to 523 active cases of COVID-19