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(The Canadian Press)
Red Deer still holding off

Banff, Lethbridge approve mandatory mask-wearing measures

Jul 28, 2020 | 12:35 PM

Town council in Banff has passed a bylaw requiring people to wear face masks in all indoor public spaces, on public transit and outdoors along a two-block stretch of the mountain resort’s main street.

The bylaw, which comes into effect at noon on Friday, doesn’t apply to schools, day cares, hospitals or on school buses.

Meantime, beginning Aug. 4 Lethbridge Transit and City of Lethbridge will require riders to wear face coverings in order to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

City Council voted unanimously on the motion and also riders are encouraged to bring their own face coverings, but for those who do not have one, free masks will be provided.

“The number of active COVID-19 cases in the City of Lethbridge has increased significantly in the past 10 days,” says Mayor Chris Spearman, who co-sponsored the motion with Councillor Jeff Carlson.

Lethbridge city council also voted 8-1 in favour of asking the City Manager to implement mandatory masks in public areas of all City of Lethbridge facilities as soon as practicable, and be directed to prepare appropriate legislation, no later than Aug. 10, mandating the mandatory use of masks city-wide should it be required.

Red Deer mayor Tara Veer reiterated on Monday that The City of Red Deer has no plans at this time to mandate the wearing of masks on transit or in public places, but that they reserve the right to do so in the future if COVID-19 numbers warrant it.

(With file from The Canadian Press and Lethbridge News Now)