Face Coverings
Wearing a face covering in enclosed public places and on transit is required by both the City of Brantford (effective July 17, 2020) and the County of Brant (effective July 20, 2020).
Face coverings are an additional tool to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Even if you have no symptoms a face covering can help contain your own respiratory droplets when you talk, cough or sneeze.
Choosing the right face covering
Made of tightly woven cloth or fabric, with at least two layers
Secured by elastics or ties
Fits snugly, with no gaps
Covers your nose, mouth and chin
Does not impair your vision
Wearing a face covering is not a replacement for other preventative measures, such as frequent handwashing and physical distancing.
Wearing a face covering
Remember to:
Make sure the face covering is securely fastened and avoid touching your face
Continue to wash your hands often with warm water and soap or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, while wearing a face covering
Continue to practice physical distancing whenever possible
Face coverings exemptions
In the
City of Brantford, theFace Covering By-law exempts:
- Children under the age of two and children two to five years of age who choose not to wear a mask.
- Those who are unable to wear a face covering as a result of a medical condition or a disability. Some disabilities are invisible so we ask people to respect that. The by-law does not require people to provide proof to support an exemption.
- A person engaged in a sport or other strenuous physical activity.
- A person who is assisting or accommodating someone who has a hearing loss or a hearing disability.
- A person who is consuming food/drink as part of a religious activity within a place of worship.
In the County of Brant, theFace Covering By-law exempts:
- A child who is five years of age or younger;
- A person who is unable to put on or remove a face covering without assistance;
- A person with a medical condition or other disability that inhibits their ability to wear a face covering, including persons who are reasonably accommodated pursuant to the (Ontario) Human Rights Code by not wearing a face covering;
- Employees or agents of the owner or operator of any enclosed public place within or behind a physical barrier or within an area designated for them and to which the general public is not invited;
- Any paramedic, fire fighter or police officer acting in the course of their duties.
No proof of any of the exemptions is required.
- In the City of Brantford, face coverings are required by by-law for anyone over the age of five in indoor public settings. Children under the age of two and children two to five years of age who choose not to wear a mask are exempt.
- In the County of Brant, face coverings are required by by-law for anyone over the age of five in indoor public settings.
For more information, review the Face Covering By-law inBrantfordand theCounty of Brant.
Look for a face covering made of tightly woven cloth or fabric (such as cotton or linen), with at least two layers. Do not use plastic or non-breathable materials.
Your face covering should:
- Allow for easy breathing
- Fit securely
- Maintain its shape after washing and drying
- Be comfortable and not require frequent adjustment
- Be large enough to cover your nose, mouth and chin
- Wash your hands before putting on your face covering. Use a hand sanitizer (of at least 60 per cent alcohol) if you cannot wash your hands
- Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
- Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face
- Make sure you can breathe easily
- Don't put the covering around your neck or up on your forehead
- Don't touch the face covering, and, if you do, clean your hands
How do I safely take off my face covering?
- Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops
- Handle only by the ear loops or tie
- Fold outside corners together
- Place mask in the washing machine
- Wash your hands with soap and water
For those who can wear a face covering, a face shield is not a substitute. A face shield does not protect others from your respiratory droplets.
A face covering helps to contain your respiratory droplets. A face shield protects you from other people's respiratory droplets. If you choose to wear a face shield, you must also wear a face covering that covers your nose, mouth and chin.
However, for those who cannot wear a face covering, a face shield is better than no face covering.
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
When exercising outdoors, physical distancing is recommended. Wearing a face covering while exercising outside may make it difficult to breathe.
When fitness centres are approved to re-open, face coverings would be required by the appropriate Face Covering By-law. However, a person engaged in a sport or other strenuous physical activity (running on a treadmill, lifting weights, etc.) would be exempt from wearing a face covering.
Your face covering may be worn all day, as long as it does not become damaged, damp or dirty. Make sure to clean your hands before you put on, adjust or remove your face covering.
Do not reuse your face covering if it is moist, dirty or damaged. Do not wear your around your neck or on your ears between uses.
Reusable face coverings should be washed with hot, soapy water whenever they become damp or dirty.
It is important to keep in mind that the City of Brantford and County of Brant by-law enforcement will not be able to respond to all calls related to face coverings and will be primarily focusing efforts on education. Business owners/operators can contct their respective City of County By-Law Enforcement departments if non-compliance is significant and on-going and educational resources and support are needed.
Please visit our
COVID-19 complaint reporting page for more information.
No proof is required to show you are exempt from wearing a face covering. The expectation is that individuals that self-identify as meeting the exemption should be allowed into an enclosed public space.
Medical masks, including surgical, medical procedure face masks and respirators (like N95 masks), must be kept for health-care workers and others providing direct care to COVID-19 patients.
