By Canadian Press

B.C.’s top doctor resists instituting fines and making masks mandatory

Nov 16, 2020 | 5:13 PM

VICTORIA — British Columbia’s top doctor says she is not in favour of instituting fines for people who don’t follow the rules for wearing masks or maintaining physical distancing rules.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says they know that certain sections of the population are disproportionately targeted when fines are handed out, including those with disabilities, the homeless and racialized communities.

She says people need to follow common-sense rules and just as customers adhere to fire codes, sanitation requirements and business hours, they must also follow the mask mandate set out by that store.

Masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert, while in Quebec a face covering is required in enclosed public places for those over the age of 10.

B.C. added almost 2,000 more cases of COVID-19 to the list of infections over the last three days, bringing the total to 22,994, and nine deaths.

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Even as news of another promising COVID-19 vaccine candidate stirred hope, Canada’s case count surpassed the 300,000 mark, with Quebec and Ontario continuing to report more than 1,000 daily new infections and a sudden spike in Nunavut triggering a two-week lockdown.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 16, 2020.

The Canadian Press