Brampton Mandatory Face Covering By-Law

Based on the advice of Peel Public Health, starting Friday, July 10, non-medical masks or face coverings will be required in all indoor public spaces in Brampton under City of Brampton By-law 135-2020. This by-law will remain in effect until 12:01 am on October 1, 2020. This means that, with a few exceptions, all customers or visitors entering a public indoor premise in Brampton are required to wear a non-medical mask or face covering.

Individuals and businesses not adhering to this by-law may be fined a minimum of $500 and maximum of up to $100,000 for each offence.

Information for Businesses:

What do you need to do?

• -  Create a face covering policy for your business. . The policy does not need to be posted or submitted to the City but the owner/operator shall, upon request, provide a copy of the policy for inspection by an Officer.
• -  Communicate this new policy to staff and customers.
• -  Train your staff on the policy and who is exempt.
• -  Ensure that all staff, customers or visitors must wear a face covering indoors, with some exceptions (e.g. children under the age of two and people with certain health conditions, employees in designated areas or protected by a physical barrier).
• -  Proof is not required if someone has an exemption.
• -  Signs must be posted at all entrances reminding everyone to wear a face covering. Signage available for download here. 

Which businesses must follow the by-law?

Spaces where non-medical masks or face coverings are required include:

• -  retail stores where goods and services are sold to customers
• -  businesses that primarily sell food including restaurants, supermarkets, grocery stores, bakeries and convenience stores
• -  churches, mosques and other places of worship, except during a religious rite or ceremony conducted that is incompatible with the face being covered
• -  indoor community and recreational facilities
• -  shopping malls or similar structure which contains multiple places of business
• -  businesses providing personal care services
• -  common areas of hotels and motels and other short term accommodations
• -  libraries, museums, galleries and other similar facilities
• -  banquet halls, conventions centres, arenas, stadiums and other event spaces
• -  concert venues, theatres, cinemas, casinos and other entertainment establishments
• -  premises utilized as an open house, presentation centre, or other facility for real estate purposes
• -  Personal Transportation Company Vehicles operating within the City of Brampton
• -  buildings operated by the Municipality
• -  other businesses, organizations and places that are or may be permitted to operate in accordance with the Emergency Orders

Which businesses are exempt from the by-law?

• -  day cares, schools, post-secondary institutions and other facilities used solely for educational purposes;
• -  hospitals and portions of buildings used by regulated health professionals;
• -  buildings owned or services operated by the Province of Ontario or the Federal Government of Canada;
• -  portions of community centres, arenas or other buildings that are being used for the purpose of providing day camps for children or for the training of amateur or professional athletes;
• -  portions of community centres, arenas or other buildings operated by the Municipality that are being used for the purpose of providing community services or programs for which registration is required; and
• -  school transportation vehicles

Who doesn’t need to wear a face covering?

Some people are not able to wear a mask or face covering. They do not need to provide proof. Please be respectful of people who disclose that they are not able to wear a mask or face covering.

The following individuals would be exempt from the requirement to wear a face covering:

• -  children 2 years of age or younger;
• -  children between the ages of 3 and 5 who refuse to wear a Face Covering and cannot be persuaded to do so by their caregiver;
• -  Persons who have trouble breathing or are otherwise unable to wear a Face Covering for medical reasons or by reason of disability, including Persons unable to place or remove a Face Covering without assistance;
• -  Persons who are engaged in an athletic, fitness, or aquatic activity in accordance with the Emergency Orders;
• -  Persons while consuming food or drink provided such businesses are permitted to operate under the Emergency Orders and all other conditions of the Emergency Orders are met;
• -  Persons while receiving services involving the face and requiring the removal of a Face Covering, provided such services are permitted to operate under the Emergency Orders and provided 2.0 metre distance is maintained from all other persons other than the person providing the service;

The by-law also provides an exemption for employees working in areas not accessible by the public, and for police, fire and paramedics during the course of an emergency call.

In what areas must masks or face coverings be worn?

The mask or face covering must be worn in any indoor area that is openly accessible to the public.

Examples of Businesses	Where a face covering is required	Where a face covering is not required
Retail stores	-  Retail floor/aisles -  Cashier area/queues -  Service desks/counters -  Publicly accessible washrooms	-  Staff lounge -  Stock / storage room -  Workshop / service area -  Private office -  Shipping / receiving area -  Outdoor patios -  Display areas that is part of the retail space (e.g. outdoor garden centre) -  Line-ups to enter store
Restaurants/bars	-  Indoor takeout counters -  Indoor dining area (when permitted to open) -  Indoor food preparation areas that is open to the public	-  Outdoor drive-thru windows -  Outdoor dining area -  Kitchen that is physically separated from the dining area and not accessible to the public -  Staff lounge / private office -  Shipping / receiving area not open to the public
Malls/plazas	-  Indoor areas open to the public	-  Outdoor areas open to the public -  Administrative offices, service areas or other areas not open to the public