The general manager of emergency and protection services on Wednesday issued the order that anyone who did not skate, and those within 15 meters of the ice edge, must wear a mask to protect themselves and others.
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The city of Ottawa has placed its first outdoor mandatory mask-wearing order during the pandemic, which requires non-skaters to wear face clothing on the skating rinks.
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The general manager of emergency and protection services issued the order on Wednesday that everyone who did not skate, and those within 15 meters of the ice edge, must wear a mask to protect themselves and others from being infected with COVID-19 . The order is valid until 28 January.
According to Anthony Di Monte’s message to council members, statutory officers and Ottawa Public Health have been concerned about large gatherings on outdoor skating rinks since early December. The size of the ice rinks has made it difficult for people to maintain a two-meter buffer, and signage has not been effective, Di Monte said.
The city is concerned that the current 28-day provincial blockade, which started on Christmas Day and has closed many indoor activities, will drive people in large numbers to outdoor activities.
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Statutory Director Roger Chapman said it is not mandatory for skaters to wear masks, but “they are highly recommended according to public health guidelines.”
“Where users simply stand on the ice or are within 15 meters of the edge of the ice surface, masks are required in accordance with the order issued under the statute,” Chapman said.
Di Monte said the city has no choice but to order outdoor mask on skating rinks operated by the city or skating rinks operated on behalf of the city.
“There are no alternative and immediate enforcement mechanisms available to the City of Ottawa to ensure distancing to limit virus spread,” Di Monte told the council.
There are exemptions from the new mandatory stitch rule on the ice rinks.
People who maintain the ice rinks when no one else is on the ice surface do not have to wear masks.
Young children, people with medical or cognitive conditions and people “engaged in athletic / fitness activity” on the ice rinks do not have to wear masks either.
In July, the Council approved the temporary mandatory mask statute, with the possibility of extending the rules to designated outdoor spaces if necessary.
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