Mandatory mask bylaw up for debate again at Edmonton City Hall

Edmontonians may have to start masking up in more places again, with a new bylaw on the agenda at city hall on Tuesday.

Edmontonians may have to start masking up in more places again, with a new bylaw on the agenda at city hall on Tuesday.

Councillors decided to scrap the city's masking rules on March 8 after the provincial government tabled a bill to take away the power of all municipalities to require masking in public spaces that are not owned by local governments.

"I'm still concerned that the province moved too fast, too quick on removing COVID protections," Sohi said Tuesday

The bylaw being considered Tuesday would keep face masks mandatory on transit and add requirements for city-owned and operated facilities that are open to the public, such as rec centres.

"The challenge we're facing on public transit is that because we don't have the backing of our own bylaw, our peace officers are unable to enforce the provincial mask bylaw," Sohi explained.

Another bylaw that's in the works would require masking in all public spaces and public vehicles in Edmonton, similar to the rules that were removed two weeks ago.

A city report said this would require the passing of Bill 4 in the legislature before councillors could give final approval of this bylaw. This option was on Tuesday's agenda but taken off before the meeting started.