Should Canada Lift Face Mask Restrictions like England
On January 20, 2022, England removed most coronavirus restrictions including mandatory face masks. According to Global News, the government decided to remove these restrictions after a successful rollout of their vaccine booster program.
With the world still seemingly struggling with large case counts due to the omicron variant, many are wondering if now is the right timing.
I’m curious to know what your thoughts are? Are you tired of the mask mandates in your area or do you believe we need to continue to do everything we can to prevent the spread of covid?
After almost two years of pandemic living, I was starting to feel like having to wear a face mask in public was just the new norm and was something I might have to do forever. There is a case for each side and I’m not sure there can be a clear ‘right’ choice here, but let’s hear your opinion in the comments below.
Canadian Government now Recommending 3-layer Face Masks
Apparently 2-layer masks aren’t as good as 3-layer masks. The Public Health Agency of Canada released a statement earlier this week stating that Canadians should wear a three layer mask with a filter.
Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam stated that adding an additional filter layer will give Canadians extra protection again the ever present coronavirus, COVID-19.
Technically, this could just be a 2-layer mask with a filter between the layers, so you don’t need to throw out your two layer masks. Fit is also very important.
“I keep emphasizing the fit is one of the most important things,” Teresa said. “It fits around your mouth, on your nose, and it has to cover your mouth and nose. So that’s really important.”
As more research continues to be done, we can expect to see changes in recommendations like this often.
To read a more detailed story about this new Health Agency recommendation, check out CTV News here.
What Next
If you’re concerned your mask is not adequate, check out our recommended list of 3-layer face masks in this post here.
IKEA Stores Require Face Masks
Shopping at IKEA is fun for people of all ages. Every time you go to an IKEA store though, you know it is going to be packed full of people. All those people will now be required to wear a mask.
IKEA is just another retailer joining forces to help reduce the spread of the corona virus.
Like all other retailers, although masks are mandatory, there will be exemptions for those who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons, children under the age of two, and other “reasonable accommodations.”
Find affordable masks for your family today.
Mandatory Masks Now at Winners Homesense & Marshalls
On August 17, 2020, face masks became mandatory at the TJX group of company stores in Canada. This includes Winners, Homesense and Marshalls.
As well as limiting the number of customers in their stores, TJX added mandatory masks to their in store safety requirements.
As Canadians, this is just something we all need to get used to. The economy will continue to suffer as long as COVID cases continue to rise. Retailers are doing what they can to protect citizens and their business by trying to prevent the spread of this virus.
To read more about the safety policies mandated by TJX, view their safety page below.
Mandatory Masks at Best Buy Canada
Retailers across Canada continue to institute mandatory mask policies. Another retailer we just found out about is Best Buy.
This news was posted directly by the electronics retailer Best Buy on their blog back in July.
As most retailers state in their public release, the goal is to continue to protect their customers and their employees from the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
If you do no have a face mask, one will be provided for you at the front of the store. Children who are too small to wear one or cannot wear one due to health issues are not required to wear a mask.
Starbucks – Face Masks Mandatory Starting September 14
Starting September 14, 2020, you’ll no longer be able to drink your coffee inside a Starbucks location. At least, I’m not sure how you would.
The giant coffee chain has announced that face masks will be mandatory in all their stores starting mid-September. This comes as a bit of a shock in that wearing a mask will prevent guests from wanting to remain inside their stores after ordering.
View their COVID-19 release here.
We will have to wait and see if this move improves people’s outlook on Starbucks, or if it will cause people to shy away from their stores.
You’ll still be able to feed your coffee addition by ordering in drive-thrus, using the curbside pickup option by ordering through the app, or order for delivery.
Recent more on Global News here.
Who's Next
We understand that businesses like Starbucks, Superstore and Walmart, are doing what they can to play a role in supporting health and government officials to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Who do you think the next big chain store that will announce mandatory masks? Do you have the low-down on the latest rumours? Let us know in the comments below.
Mandatory Masks at Real Canadian Superstore and No Frills
Another major grocery retailer has joined the growing list that require patrons to wear face masks. Starting August 29, 2020 wearing a face mask at Real Canadian Superstores and No Frills’ becomes mandatory.
So now the 2 of the largest grocery outlets in Canada have a mandatory mask policy. This comes at no surprise though as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise. Health officials continue to stress the wearing of a face mask, along with washing hands and social distancing is needed to help against the spread of this virus.
Walmart was one of the first to require masks, and now Real Canadian Superstore.
Various news outlets across the country have not yet been able to verify if mandatory masks will also become mandatory at other Loblaws owned businesses, including Shopper’s Drug Mart, but I believe we can expect that announcement to come soon as well.
More and more businesses are stepping up to try and do their part in corralling the coronavirus and preventing it’s spread. Until we start seeing case numbers decrease, we can expect to see more and more retailers following suit.
To learn more about this announcement, check out these news articles below.
Let us know what you think. Will retailers making face masks mandatory make you want to do more ‘online’ shopping?
Back-to-School: Province by Province COVID-19 Guidelines
Whether you agree with what your provincial government has set out for back-to-school guidelines or not, each province has set out their rules. Most guidelines continue to be changed as we get closer to school, but we can expect these to be fluid as the pandemic continues.
Each province has slightly different rules, and we think that is okay. With different population sizes and density factors, all rules don’t need to be the same. Also, most provinces have left certain guidelines to be set by their school divisions and in some cases by each school. So although these are the general guidelines that have been set out, your school might look different.
What does the Canadian Government Say
All provincial guidelines follow what Canada recommends. Standard protocols like physical distancing, additional cleaning, washing hands and use of hand sanitizers are musts from coast to coast.
To view the Canadian Governments recommendations for schools, view their site here.
Conclusion
For a more in depth look at provincial back-to-school 2020 guidelines, you can read these news articles:
Walmart Canada Make Face Masks Mandatory
As of August 12, 2020, wearing a face mask in a Walmart store in Canada will be mandatory.
With no end in site for the coronavirus pandemic, Walmart Canada announced that they will be making the wearing of face masks or coverings mandatory in all stores nationwide.
One key thing to note here is that unlike Costco, Walmart will not be supplying free masks to its shoppers. Customers must bring their own masks or face coverings if they wish to enter the store.
There will be a lot of consumers who will be turned away from Walmart, and we will have to wait and see if this affects their bottom line.
What’s your opinion on this move by Walmart? Comment below.
This announcement, we believe, is just the first in many large retailers who will announce that masks will be mandatory in their stores.
Shop the Top 10 Face Masks now, or use the categories on the left to purchase masks for your family.