Repealing of municipal physical distancing & mandatory masking

Hello Ward 8 Neighbours,

At the March 21 council meeting, City Council voted to end masking and social distancing by-laws.

For more details, please continue reading below…

Hamilton city council has voted to scrap municipal by-laws requiring indoor masking and social distancing in public spaces.

The motions passed at the March 21 meeting will bring the city in line with the Ontario government’s decision to end the masking requirement.

With the provincial changes, masks will no longer be required in most indoor settings, including restaurants, retail, fitness centres and grocery stores and schools. Mandates remain in place for long-term care and retirements homes, jails, shelters and all forms of public transit.

Councillor Danko explained on Twitter why he voted in line with the majority of Council:

These municipal by-laws were necessary at the beginning of the pandemic when despite the urging of municipalities, business leaders & organizations, the province refused to set province wide mandates – resulting in a patchwork of local public safety measures across Ontario.

— John-Paul Danko (@JohnPaulDanko) March 21, 2022

I am also concerned that while the Province and Public Health continues to strongly recommend the continuation of wearing masks – the effectiveness of masks was always to keep each other safe, not the individual, which was the purpose of mandatory mask policy.

— John-Paul Danko (@JohnPaulDanko) March 21, 2022

However, with the current change in approach with the Province now insisting on setting province wide #COVID19 policy, and the recommendation of Hamilton's Medical Officer of Health – maintaining Hamilton's local by-laws would have unfortunately been untenable.

— John-Paul Danko (@JohnPaulDanko) March 21, 2022

On April 27, all other masking mandates and emergency orders are set to expire.

Questions or concerns?

If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact our office here.