Message from Mayor Smith: Face masks mandatory in indoor public spaces
I wish to advise you that in our ongoing commitment to minimizing the spread of the coronavirus and protecting the health and well-being of our residents, the City of Westmount will be making the wearing of masks mandatory in indoor public spaces. We are pleased that the City of Montreal has announced it will be adopting such a by-law.
Our position is that the Quebec Government should be making masks mandatory in indoor spaces across the province, as it has done on public transit. We will be writing Premier Legault urging him to move forward with this policy. I encourage you to do the same, as the economy reopens and we move around the province it only makes sense to have one policy on masks.
While we are encouraging all residents to start wearing masks now in public indoor spaces, we are working with Montreal on the passage of our by-law in the hope that municipalities across Montreal will agree on a common by-law. Our legal department is currently consulting with their colleagues in Montreal and other municipalities. Regardless, a Montreal-wide mandatory mask policy will come into effect on July 27th.
A uniform policy makes sense since the SPVM will be responsible for enforcing the by-law. It would not be helpful to have different rules as you cross the border from one municipality to another.
We are well aware that many Westmounters are already wearing face masks while shopping, thank you for taking the necessary steps to ensure your safety and that of your neighbours. We also appreciate that many of our merchants are already insisting on masks in their stores, and please rest assured that we are committed to supporting them as this new by-law comes into effect.
As we gradually reopen our city, no one wants a resurgence of COVID-19 in our community, and it is critical that all Westmounters remain vigilant. Each of us can make a difference by wearing a mask, maintaining physical distancing by keeping a 2-metre distance from one another and frequently washing our hands. It’s simple and it’s easy.
Anyone needing a face mask should reserve one at westmount.org/mask – we will be happy to provide you with one. Also please check our website and social media platforms for more information concerning the by-law on face masks, which will be posted in the coming days, and on other matters related to COVID-19. In the interim, please wear a mask in indoor public places and continue to support our local merchants.
*Please disregard the comments made in the Westmount Independent of the week of June 29, since they were made prior to Montreal’s and Westmount’s decision to make masks mandatory.