Face Coverings

What is a face covering?

A face covering is a way to cover your mouth and nose to prevent droplets (from breathing, talking, coughing or sneezing) from contaminating others or landing on surfaces. There are many types of masks or face coverings available. There are cloth masks that can be washed and reused; disposable masks that can only be worn once; and medical masks. A medical mask includes surgical, medical procedure face masks and respirators (like N95 masks). Face coverings should be tightly fitted to cover the nose, mouth and chin. Scarves, bandanas and neck gaiters are not recommended because they aren’t well secured to the head or ears and are likely to move or slip out of place, and because they are difficult to remove without contaminating yourself. Masks with exhalation valves are not recommended, because they don’t protect others from COVID-19 and don’t limit the spread of the virus.  

According to Health Canada, face coverings should:

• be made of at least three layers
  • 2 layers should be tightly woven material fabric (NOT plastic), such as cotton or linen
  • The third (middle) layer should be a filter-type fabric, e.g., a craft fabric OR a folded piece of paper towel (plastic is not a suitable filter material)
• be large enough to completely and comfortably cover the nose, mouth and chin without gaping
• fit snugly to the nose, mouth and chin and secured to the head with ties or ear loops
• allow for easy breathing
• maintain shape after washing and drying
• be comfortable when worn so as not to require frequent adjusting
• be changed as soon as possible if damp or dirty

When should I wear a face covering?

Face coverings (i.e. medical or non-medical masks, bandanas or scarfs covering the mouth and nose) are required in indoor public spaces. They are also required in workplaces (even those that are not open to the public) and in vehicles that operate as part of a business or organization (including taxis and rideshares). In indoor areas accessible only to employees, face coverings can be removed if physical distancing is maintained. Face coverings are strongly recommended when physical distancing is not possible. You never know when that will be. That’s why it is important to carry a non-medical mask with you at all times, including in the workplace and in any situation where you can’t maintain 2 metres of space between you and other people. Wearing a mask protects other people from your germs. Remember – my mask protects you, and your masks protects me. 

Wearing a mask or face covering is now also recommended outdoors when you can't physically distance more than two metres.  

Learn how to properly wear a mask:

• Watch our video on how to safely wear and remove a non-medical mask
• Learn more about how to properly wear, clean and dispose of face coverings
• Refer to the Use of Non-Medical (Cloth) Masks Infographic

Is it mandatory for businesses to require their staff and customers to wear face coverings?

Under the Reopening Ontario Act, the use of masks or face coverings is mandatory in all public indoor settings across Ontario, such as businesses, facilities, workplaces, and the common areas of apartment buildings, condominiums, and shelters with limited exemptions, including corrections and developmental services. Wearing a mask or face covering is also mandatory in a vehicle that is operated as part of a business or organization.  Full details about the mandatory mask or face coverings regulation including exemptions, are available on the Province of Ontario website.

On July 30, 2020, Southwestern Public Health issued a Letter of Instruction (LOI) to all businesses and organizations operating within the region. This letter mandated the wearing of face coverings in all enclosed public spaces within the region, with the goal of lowering the transmission of COVID-19 in our community. The Ontario mandatory face covering regulation aligns very closely with our original Letter of Instruction.  As a result, to fully align with the rest of Ontario, the Ministry regulation (364/20) outlined above will replace the SWPH Letter of Instruction, but with some critical pieces from our original letter carried over. Our revised Letter of Instruction is dated November 23, 2020. This includes the need for businesses and organizations to have a policy regarding face coverings, signage posted stating that face coverings are required, and making hand sanitizer available at entrances and exits.

In what situations may a face covering be exempt?

Certain individuals may be exempt from wearing a face covering. The provincial regulation regarding face coverings outlines specific exemptions below:

Children

• Children do not have to wear a face covering indoors if they are younger than two years old.

Health and accommodations

• You do not need to wear a face covering if you
  • have a medical condition that inhibits your ability to wear a face covering
  • are unable to put on or remove your face covering without help from someone else
  • are receiving accommodations according to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 or the Human Rights Code

Temporarily taking off your face covering

• You can take off your face covering temporarily:
  • to receive services that require you to take it off (for example, at the dentist, when receiving some personal care services such as facials, or when you have to verify your identity)  
  • to engage in an athletic or fitness activity
  • to eat or drink
  • as necessary for health and safety purposes

Workplaces

• You do not need to wear a face covering when you are working in an area that allows you to maintain a distance of at least 2 metres from anyone else while you are indoors.

Residences and dwellings

• You do not need to wear a face covering in:
  • university dorms, retirement homes, long-term care homes or other similar dwellings except when you are in a common area and can’t maintain 2 metres from others
  • residences for people with disabilities (any residences listed in the definition of “residential services and supports” in subsection 4 (2) of the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008)

Correctional institutions

• You do not need to wear a face covering if you are in a:
  • correctional institution
  • custody program for young persons in conflict with the law
  • detention program for young persons in conflict with the law

Performing or rehearsing

• You do not need to wear a face covering while you are performing or rehearsing for a:
  • film or television production
  • concert
  • artistic event
  • theatrical performance

It is our hope that everyone takes responsibility to help contain COVID-19 and that no one makes a false exemption claim. Wearing a face covering is an incredibly caring act to protect other people from illness. Find more information in this resource: What to know about face masks and lung health.

How can I report a non-compliant business?

How can I make my own face covering?

Face coverings should be made of 3 layers of fabric and should cover the nose, mouth and chin. Follow these links for instructions on how to make a face covering. You will find instructions for both a simple sewing or “no sew” version:

• Sew method
• No-sew method using a t-shirt
• No-sew method using a bandana

What about my child?

Children can be symptomatic (showing symptoms) or asymptomatic (without symptoms) carriers of COVID-19. Children over the age of 2 should wear a face covering to protect those around them if it is difficult to maintain a distance of 2 metres.

Face coverings are not required for children under two years of age; or children under the age of five years either chronologically or developmentally who refuse to wear a face covering and cannot be persuaded to do so by their caregiver. Once a face covering is in place, children should not touch the face covering, as doing so will increase their risk of contamination.

You can encourage your child by:

• Talking with your child
  • Explain the importance of wearing a face covering in simple terms to help them understand why its required.
  • Listen to their feelings and concerns and allow them to ask questions.
• Choosing a face covering with your child
  • If you are able to, include your child in selecting the pattern and/or colour of their masks. Children like to feel independent and like they had a choice.
• Including masks in play
  • Children have great imaginations – see what they come up with by having a cloth mask available at playtime so they can explore and play with it. This will let them become more comfortable to the look and feel of the mask.
• Setting an example
  • Show your kids how you put on your mask, and explain why you are wearing it (to protect those around you) to be a role model for your kids.

Do I have to wear a mask when in my apartment building or condominium?

Is a plastic face shield considered a face covering?

No. When you wear a plastic face shield, you do not have a snug fit around your nose, mouth and chin. A face shield may be used in combination with another form of protection (such as a non-medical mask, bandana, or other face covering, for example) to provide extra precaution for the wearer against droplets from another person.

Evidence shows that plastic face shields alone are NOT the equivalent to wearing a face covering. It does not filter respiratory droplets and does not provide a snug fit. However, the World Health Organization supports the use of face shields as a “better than nothing” approach. At a minimum, the face shield should cover the sides of the face and extend below the chin. 

Should I wear two masks (“double mask”)?

Recently, there has been some media coverage on the idea of wearing two masks (“double masking”).

For the best protection, current evidence suggests face coverings or masks should:

• Be well-fitted, snugly covering the nose, mouth and chin without gaping
• Be made of at least 3 layers of fabric

• • 2 layers should be a tightly woven fabric, such as cotton or linen
  • The third (middle) layer should be a filter-type fabric, such as non-woven polypropylene. The filter adds an extra layer of protection against COVID-19.
• Not contain an exhalation valve
• Fit securely to the head
• Allow for easy breathing
• Maintain their shape after washing and drying

There is currently no recommendation from Health Canada to double mask. For more information on non medical masks and face coverings visit Health Canada.

Sources:

• Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Q and A: COVID-19: nonmedical masks. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2020.
• Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Review of “Rapid review on the characteristics of effective non-medical face masks in reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission”. Toronto, ON: Queen’s Printer for Ontario; 2021.

Where can I get PPE (personal protective equipment) such as masks?

Where can I donate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

There are a few local programs accepting PPE donations:

• SewStrong.ca