Ottawa Is 'Seriously Exploring' Making Face Masks Mandatory In Public Spaces

If you’re in Ottawa and don’t have a mask yet, you may be required to get one. The City’s medical officer of health confirmed this week that officials are “seriously exploring” the idea of making masks mandatory in Ottawa. This would mean mandatory face coverings in all public indoor spaces.

Speaking to reporters on June 29, per the Ottawa Citizen, the City’s medical officer of health confirmed that she’s in talks with officials about mandatory mask-wearing in public spaces.

Dr. Vera Etches said that senior city officials were already “seriously exploring” the idea, including Mayor Jim Watson.

"While the data shows that many people are already doing the right thing by wearing a mask, we are seriously exploring our options for making masks mandatory in commercial settings in Ottawa," Etches explained.

In a statement to CTV News, Mayor Watson’s office confirmed that he would fully support the move, should Dr. Etches make that decision.

A formal announcement on the matter is expected to be made by the end of this week.

This would follow a similar move from several places in Eastern Ontario, including the area from Prescott-Russell to Cornwall, Alexandria and Hawkesbury.

Ottawa Public Health has been advising locals to wear masks when out and about in public for several weeks, explaining that doing so could help to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Health officials say that a face covering can stop germs from spreading between people, which is especially significant if you have the disease but are displaying no symptoms.

To get their point across, Ottawa Public Health even threw some serious shade at Leafs fans last week, while also acknowledging some of the difficulties that can arise when wearing a face mask.

This week, Toronto passed a temporary bylaw requiring locals to wear a face-covering or non-medical mask in all public indoor spaces.

The new rule will kick-in as of July 7, and could last until September 30.

Everyone except young children and those with "suitable" exceptions will have to wear a mask.

Additional information about how Ottawa would enforce the mask-wearing rule is yet to be announced, but Mayor Watson’s office told CTV News that “Bylaw is reviewing enforcement options with respect to mandating the wearing of face masks.”

If you haven’t got a mask yet, how about a “speaking moistly” version?

Whatever design you choose, it’s probably best to get one ASAP!