Source: Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Government of Yukon
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley has issued the following updates for the Yukon public on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective today, the use of masks is mandatory in all indoor public spaces in Yukon. The mandate on masks authorized by a Ministerial Order under the Civil Emergency Measures Act ensures a heightened public health response to COVID-19.
Masks are now required to be worn by everyone five years and older in most indoor public spaces. These include:
- shopping centres and retail businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies and clothing stores;
- service businesses;
- locations that provide personal services or health care provider services;
- restaurants, bars and other places selling food or drink;
- places of public worship or a faith gathering;
- places for sports, fitness and dance activities;
- places where non-profit organizations provide goods or services to the public;
- movie theatres, art centres, concert halls, billiard halls, museums and libraries;
- conference centres, community centres and community halls;
- indoor common areas of:
- office buildings;
- government buildings (other than a school);
- multi-unit residential buildings;
- hospitals;
- hotels, bed and breakfasts and rental cabins; and
- Yukon university campuses.
- entrances of daycare centres and day homes; and
- on public transportation, in taxis, shuttles or other vehicles for hire.
Schools are not considered a public space. However, school staff and students age 10 and older are required to wear a non-medical mask on the school bus and in school common areas.
The Government of Yukon encourages individuals, businesses and organizations to abide by the new mask Order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in Yukon.
For the purposes of this Order, a mask is defined as a medical or non-medical mask that covers the mouth and nose.
When in an indoor space, masks may be temporarily removed if people are seated at a table in a restaurant or bar, participating in a sport or fitness activity, or providing or receiving personal or health care services that require the mask to be removed.
Anyone without a mask in an indoor space or who refuses to comply with the direction of an enforcement officer, including refusing to leave a public space where masks are required or engage in abusive or belligerent behaviour, may be subject to a $500 fine.