Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth announced on Tuesday that anyone who doesn’t follow mandatory mask order in indoor, public places could face a fine of $230.
Mask enforcement measures are immediately in effect, as British Columbia extended its state of emergency till Dec 8.
Fines don’t apply for people with medical exemptions and children’s under 12 year.
These include:
- malls, shopping centres, coffee shops, and retail and grocery stores;
- liquor and drug stores;
- airports, city halls, libraries, community and recreation centres;
- restaurants, pubs and bars;
- places of public worship;
- on public transportation, in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle;
- common areas of office buildings, court houses, hospitals and hotels;
- common areas of sport and fitness centres when not engaged in physical activity; and
- common areas of post-secondary institutions and non-profit organizations.
“Education is key, which is why we’re having businesses review their plans and getting the word out to communities in several languages,” Farnworth said. “Businesses should provide signage on the mandatory mask policy and inform customers about the requirement”, Farnworth added.