Courtesy of Canadian Press

By Connor Gunn

Council mandates masks on Lethbridge Transit and at City facilities

Jul 28, 2020 | 6:43 AM

Lethbridge, AB – Beginning Aug. 4th, 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.

After the City of Calgary implemented a bylaw requiring the wearing of face coverings in all indoor public spaces, Lethbridge took notice.

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.

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Councillors say the mandate for face coverings may be just the beginning for certain Lethbridge spaces if the pandemic continues.

“It is our common desire to sustain the local economy and support businesses in the City of Lethbridge. The wearing of masks has been shown to be an effective means of slowing community transmission of COVID-19. We strongly encourage all residents to wear masks in public. First and foremost, we want to educate our residents about the importance of face coverings,” says Spearman.

In the city’s release, the following statement was given:

“All levels of government continue to have a role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO), Chief Public Health Officer of Canada and the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Alberta continue to strongly recommend the wearing of face coverings to limit the spread of COVID-19 where physical distancing cannot be maintained. This will help keep businesses open and the public as safe as possible.”