Face covering sign at Cycle Path (photo courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Chantal Wagner

mask reaction

Local businesses welcome city’s new mask bylaw

Dec 7, 2020 | 5:31 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – This was the first weekend in Medicine Hat since the mandatory mask bylaw went into effect, and shopping and visiting public places looked a little different.

The bylaw makes it mandatory for masks to be worn in all public spaces and in public vehicles unless a person has an exemption.

The owner of Cycle Path was very pleased that the city approved the bylaw, as his business is pro-mandatory face masks.

Greg Watson says the debates will continue, but it’s nice to have the consistency when shopping and he’s seeing more “masks here” signs.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

1h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

21h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

Watson wrote a letter to city council a few weeks ago for the city to incorporate a mandatory face-covering policy to help protect from the virus, and from those who do not adhere to store policies.

He wrote the letter after the unmask Medicine Hat protest occurred in the mall last month outside the Coles bookstore on November 15.

“We were quite concerned about that type of situation occurring in small businesses. I don’t think that small businesses need to be put into that type of situation, especially the employees. So I think it’s nice that the bylaw kind of takes that pressure away from people,” Watson told Chat News.

Owner of King of Trade Dave Brown also says it’s been great to have the city mask mandate in place. And adds that fellow local businesses he talked to agree.

Brown says customers have been good about it, and there hasn’t been a complaint since the bylaw began on Friday.

Now that it’s a requirement, he says there’s not really a discussion to be had with customers.
“It’s taken a lot of the stress from myself and my wife as well as my employees to not have to request or ask people to wear a mask,” Brown said. “So as a business it’s been a definite benefit for us to have the mask mandate in place.”

Brown says the bylaw would have been preferred earlier, but they are glad the city made the decision.

“The more we can do every little bit helps to stay safe and healthy,” he added.