Temporary Mask Bylaw

In an effort to contain the COVID-19 spread and protect the health, safety and well-being of residents and visitors to the Town of Banff, non-medical masks are mandatory within enclosed public spaces as well as outdoors in the area listed below on the map.

To ensure compliance within the Town, bylaw officers will be monitoring, and anyone found not wearing a mask in the required areas may be subject to a $150 fine.

Masks
Mask_Bylaw_December

Exemptions:

  1. A child who is younger than two (2) years of age, or a child who is under five (5) years of age chronologically or developmentally and who refuses to wear a mask and cannot be persuaded to do so by their caregiver
  1. Anyone with a medical condition, including breathing or cognitive difficulties, or a disability, that prevents them from safely wearing a mask
  1. Anyone who is unable to put on or remove their mask without the assistance of another person
  1. Anyone who is hearing impaired, or communicating with someone who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication
  1. Anyone who needs to temporarily remove their mask, provided they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet from any persons who are not members of the same household or cohort, for the purposes of:
  1. Receiving services that require the removal of their mask
  2. Actively engaging in athletic or fitness activity in an establishment such as a sports facility, sports club, gym, yoga studio, or other similar establishments
  3. Consuming food or drink; or
  4. An emergency or medical purpose
  1. Outdoor spaces that are not included in the Pedestrian Zone of the 100 and 200 Blocks of Banff Avenue and Caribou Street

Public Spaces That Require Masks

Public spaces that now require masks include, but are not limited to:

  1. Restaurants, cafés, cafeterias, and outdoor patios associated with these establishments; 
  2. Retail establishments including exterior merchandise displays;
  3. Shopping malls or similar structures that contain multiple places of businesses; 
  4. Grocery stores;
  5. Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, or other places of worship; 
  6. Libraries, museums, art galleries, recreational facilities, cinemas, theatres, concert venues, special event venues, convention centers, or other similar entertainment, cultural, or leisure facilities; 
  7. Common areas of sports facilities, sports clubs, gyms, yoga studios, or other similar establishments, such as lobbies, elevators, and locker rooms/ changing rooms; 
  8. Common areas of hotels, motels, and other short-term rentals, such as lobbies, elevators, meeting rooms or other common use facilities;
  9. Health and wellness facilities and personal services facilities;
  10. Temporary facilities, such as construction trailers and temporary sales offices; 
  11. Municipal facilities, including Town Hall, and any community centre, cultural, arts or leisure centre, recreational or sporting facility, parks building, client service centre or indoor parking facility; and, 
  12. Other businesses, organizations and places that are permitted to operate in accordance with the Government of Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy. 
  13. A public vehicle, unless separated from other people by an installed screen, shield, or other barrier. A public vehicle means a bus, taxi, or other vehicle that is used to transport members of the public for a fee.

     

Some public spaces are exempt for this bylaw. These include:

  1. Schools
  2. Day Care facilities
  3. Portions of buildings that are being used for the purpose of providing day camps
  4. Offices of professional service providers such as lawyers and accountants where clients receive services in areas not open to the general public
  5. Hospitals, independent health facilities, and offices of regulated health professionals; and
  6. School Busses

Businesses must post notice

Businesses are required to publicly display a sign/poster in their entrance notifying customers that masks are required on the premises. 

  1. How do people eat or drink while wearing a mask?
  2. What about my toddler?
  3. How is it enforced?
  4. Who is exempt from this bylaw? Do they have to show proof of exemption?
  5. Are businesses in the Town of Banff enforcing this bylaw?
  6. Do businesses have to provide masks to customers?
  7. Where do businesses get the required poster for their door/window/entrance?
  8. Does this bylaw apply in Hotels and other forms of accommodation?
  9. What is considered an enclosed public space?
  10. Does this apply to Roam Transit and Taxis?
  11. Are some of the masks that were provided by the Government of Alberta to the Town of Banff available for use by Banff businesses?
  12. Where can residents get more masks from the Town?
  13. Will Municipal Enforcement staff ticket people for not wearing a mask in the mandated areas?
  14. Where can I buy masks in Banff?
  15. Where can I dispose of masks safely in Banff?
  16. What kind of mask is appropriate under this bylaw?
  17. Are masks required while hiking, camping or recreating in Banff National Park?
  18. Are masks required even when physical distancing can be achieved?
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