As more and more people are becoming fully vaccinated, Canadian provinces may be readdressing whether or not Face Masks are still mandatory. Some provinces have set up recommendations, while other provinces have specific requirements and mandates.
While not exhaustive of all of the health precautions recommended, here is a breakdown of current face mask recommendations and mandates, by province:
Alberta
- July 1, 2021 - Stage 3 of the provincial reopening plan
- General indoor face mask mandates are lifted, however, face masks are required on public transit and in health care settings
- https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-public-health-actions.aspx
British Columbia
- BC is now in Step 3 of the 4 Step Provincial Reopening Plan
- The mask mandate order was lifted July 1, 2021
- Masks are recommended in indoor public places for all people 12 and older who are not yet fully vaccinated
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restart
Manitoba
- Province Response Level: Restricted
- Masks are mandatory in all indoor spaces, minus some exceptions
- https://manitoba.ca/covid19/prs/index.html#guidance
New Brunswick
- Community face mask wearing is required
- https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/covid-19/community_measures.html
Newfoundland & Labrador
- Newfoundland & Labrador are at Alert Level 2 and in Step 1 of their provincial reopening plan
- Non-medical face masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces
- https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/alert-levels/together-again/
Northwest Territories
- Mask wearing is not mandatory in indoor public spaces, however, "businesses and organizations may require the public to wear masks at their indoor facilities as an added measure to protect their employees and the public"
- https://www.gov.nt.ca/covid-19/en/questions-and-answers
Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia moved to phase 3 of their reopening plan on June 30, 2021
- "Wearing a non-medical mask is required in most indoor public places and some outdoor public places"
- Exemptions: Children under 2, as well as children 2 to 4 when their caregiver can't get them to wear a mask, and people with a valid medical reason
- https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/masks/
Nunavut
- Mandatory mask wearing territory-wide
- https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/news/covid-19-department-health-services-update
Ontario
- As of June 30, 2021, Ontario is now in Step 2 of the Roadmap to Reopen
- Masks are required in indoor public spaces, as well as outdoors when 2 meters distance is not possible.
- Exceptions for: Children under 2 years of age and those with medical health concerns
- https://covid-19.ontario.ca/public-health-measures
Prince Edward Island
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"Face masks are required in all indoor public spaces in Prince Edward Island with the following exception:
- It is not mandatory to wear a mask while seated or stationary at indoor events (such as church services and indoor seated concerts), provided there is 6 feet of physical distance between individuals of different households.
- Masks are still required at these types of events when moving to and from seats, and anytime you are out of your seat at an indoor venue event."
- https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-and-wellness/wearing-non-medical-masks-in-the-community
Quebec
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Wearing a mask is mandatory on public transit and in enclosed or partially enclosed public places for people age 10 and over, with exceptions as noted in the link below:
- https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/mask-or-face-covering/wearing-a-face-covering-in-public-settings-covid-19
Saskatchewan
- As of Sunday, July 11, all public health orders will be removed, including the removal of the province-wide mandatory masking order.
- https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2021/july/02/covid19-update-for-july-2-1194535-vaccines-administered-21-new-cases-36-recoveries
Yukon
- Face masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces
- https://yukon.ca/en/current-covid-19-situation