Although the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit beat West Nipissing to it, Mayor Joanne Savage says she explored taking steps for the municipality to mandate face coverings if the local health body did not.
"At our Emergency Control Group last Wednesday, I enquired about the municipality’s authority to adopt a bylaw to mandate face covering if not mandated by the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit and to have the item added to council’s agenda for discussion and recommendation to adopt a by-law," Savage tells BayToday.
Further, in an email to CAO Jay Barbeau dated July 8 (and included in the council agenda for the July 14 meeting), Savage wrote, "I wish to proceed with a motion for next Tuesday's Council meeting; a motion to adopt mandatory facial coverings in West Nipissing."
Negating the need for such a motion in West Nipissing, Dr. Jim Chirico, District Medical Officer of Health made the announcement Monday — the day before the council meeting — the local Health Unit would be mandating the use of face coverings on public transit and in "certain enclosed public areas," under the provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
Also Monday, Premier Doug Ford announced the areas covered by the North Bay–Parry Sound District will reopen for Stage 3 this Friday, as will most areas in Ontario. Regions entering the third stage will see limits increase to allow up to 100 people to gather outdoors and up to 50 indoors.
WATCH: Premier Ford on Stage 3 of reopening strategy
Dr. Chirico said about moving to the next phase of reopening, "As we enter into Stage 3 more businesses are opening and social gatherings are growing, resulting in the need to change our public health measures for COVID-19. We have to adapt to the current climate."
The Health Unit will be releasing information regarding the use of face coverings in the community and for businesses this Friday, and will also outline exemptions and respond to frequently asked questions ahead of the official Friday, July 24 mandate, allowing businesses one week to prepare.
"Our region has done an amazing job to flatten the curve of COVID-19 and hopefully it remains as such," observes Mayor Savage.
See related story: North Bay Mayor reacts to Stage 3 reopening
And: Local businesses react to Stage 3 opening
In the North Bay-Parry Sound district, as of Tuesday, 17,012 tests have been administered for COVID-19, returning 37 positives, of which one female aged 40-59 died, with 36 cases now resolved.
"The mandatory face covering is to protect others and to mitigate the risk of a second wave," Savage says. "Throughout these unprecedented times, our businesses experienced many challenges and financial hardships. Mandatory face covering is a step forward to pave the way for a successful reopening of the economy."
The Health Unit stresses face coverings do not replace physical distancing and other protective health measures such as hand washing and isolating yourself when you have symptoms or have come in close contact with someone with COVID-19 or suspected to have COVID-19.
West Nipissing's geographical situation and vulnerability to COVID-19 figured into Savage's preparations. In the email to Barbeau, Mayor Savage stated the "uniqueness of our location and population should be considered," in a potential motion.
It is the largest centre between North Bay and Greater Sudbury, nestled between two health units who have been mandating slightly different approaches to the COVID-19 response. Public Health Sudbury & Districts made face coverings mandatory the second week of July. West Nipissing's demographics show the area's residents have both a higher average and higher median age than Ontario or Canada.
"West Nipissing and surrounding areas is a beautiful destination location for tourists and out of town visitors," says Savage. "We can’t prohibit travellers to our region nor do we want to discourage out of town travellers to their seasonal dwellings, to support our tourist lodge operators and businesses. Mandatory face covering will add the extra precautionary measures for our frontline workers and residents."
Savage adds, "I commend our residents, frontline workers and everyone for all their efforts and contributions. The low number of cases for our district is a reflection of everyone’s cooperation and working together. The mandatory face covering for enclosed public places may be short-lived but worthwhile to keep our community and people safe."
