Face Coverings
COVID-19 remains present in Brant and will continue to pose a risk in our community. "Learning to live with COVID" doesn't mean the pandemic is over. We must continue to be aware of the virus' presence in our day-to-day lives. As Brant enters a new phase of the pandemic, the responsibility for staying safe is shifting to each of us and our personal actions.
It is important to remember that individual circumstances are unique, and everyone's situation will be different. It is important that we all be mindful that there are members of this community who remain at higher risk for serious outcomes.
Recommendations from the Brant County Health Unit
As our community adapts to easing public health measures, please continue to:
- Wear a mask, and remain respectful of others, whether or not they choose to wear a mask.
- Make sure your COVID-19 vaccination status is up to date.
- Stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or feel sick.
Settings where mask wearing is mandated by the Province
Starting March 21, 2022 the Province will require masking for individuals in the following settings:
- Public transit
- Health care
- Including BCHU vaccine clinics
- When accessing in-person services at the Brant County Health Unit
- Long-term care and retirement homes
- Congregate care settings, such as shelters, jails, homes for individuals with developmental disabilities and other congregate care and living settings
Situations where individuals must wear a mask
The following individuals must continue to wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings:
- Individuals required to follow Ministry of Health guidance related to COVID-19 infection or exposure. Visit our Information for Positive or High-Risk Contacts) webpage to find out if masking applies to you.
- Individuals required to follow federal travel requirements after returning from international travel. Individuals must wear a mask at all times when in public spaces, including schools and childcare.
Businesses and organizations that may require you to wear a mask
Starting March 21, most masking mandates end in businesses and organizations. Please note, these establishments can choose to continue masking policies as part of their ongoing operations. You will need to follow their masking policy.
Individuals strongly encouraged to continue wearing a mask. BCHU encourages you to continue to wear masks past March 21. Health Canada recommends it's even more important for you to wear a mask if you're at higher risk of exposure or severe outcomes.
For further
information, please visit the Ontario Government’s
website.
The Government of Canada updated their guidelines on face coverings on February 2, 2022:
Well-designed and well-fitting masks or face coverings can prevent the spread of your infectious respiratory droplets. They may also help protect you from the infectious respiratory droplets of others.
How well a mask or face covering works depends on the materials used, how the mask is made, and most importantly, how well it fits.
Wearing a face covering is not a replacement for other preventative measures, such as vaccination and physical distancing.
When wearing a face covering, it is important to remember:
- Do not share your face covering with others
- Wash your hands before putting on and after taking off a mask
- Place the face covering over your nose, mouth and chin
- Avoid touching your face and face covering while using it
- Change your face covering as soon as it is moist or dirty
- Do not leave your face covering tucked under the chin, hanging from your ear, or on your forehead
- Remove the face covering by the ear loops without touching the front of the face covering
- Put used face covering(s) in a plastic bag or directly in the laundry bin to be washed
- Launder cloth face coverings after use with other items using the hot cycle and dryer
- Dispose of disposable face coverings (one-time use) in a sealed garbage
Face shields do
not replace masks or face coverings.
A face shield is used to protect the eyes of the person wearing it. Using a face shield without a mask won't protect:
- you from potentially inhaling infectious respiratory droplets exhaled by others
- others from your infectious respiratory droplets, as they can escape around the face shield
If you're unable to wear a mask or face covering, you may want to wear a face shield. Choose one that extends around the sides of the face and below the chin. You'll still need to:
- maintain physical distancing of 2 metres
- practise good hand hygiene, especially if you touch the face shield
Masks with exhalation valves or vents are
not recommended. These masks do not protect others from COVID-19 or limit the spread of the virus. This is because they allow infectious respiratory droplets to spread outside the mask.
Wearing a face covering helps protect others from your respiratory droplets. The covering works to contain your respiratory droplets when you talk, cough or sneeze. You are protected when others wear a face covering.
Face coverings are not a replacement for other public health measures. You must continue to:
- Stay home if you have any symptoms and get tested
- Maintain physical distancing (at least two metres) whenever possible
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
