You won't be forced to wear a mask in Okotoks.

Okotoks Town Council deliberated a bylaw Monday, July 27 which would have seen face coverings mandatory in all indoor public spaces in town.

However, the bylaw wasn't approved by Council, though an amendment to the proposed bylaw could see them made mandatory in municipally-run buildings only.

As originally proposed, the bylaw would see face coverings made mandatory in all public spaces with several exceptions, including schools and daycares, people with medical conditions, people actively eating and/or drinking, and those engaged in fitness activities.

Councillors considered the bylaw over the course of the four hour meeting, clarifying aspects of the initial draft and suggesting amendments.

Amendments were proposed by Councillors Rockley and Sand.

The first pertained to the end date of the bylaw, and the second which would see would see a multi-phased approach to mandatory masks depending on the number of active cases in town.

Neither amendment had enough support to be carried.

A proposed amendment from Councillor Christophers would see masks made mandatory in municipal buildings, including the Eco Centre, Municipal Centre, and Recreation Centre, as well as public transit.

A request was also made for the administration to draft a second bylaw to be enacted in the event of 15 or more active cases in Okotoks, which see masks made mandatory in all public spaces.

This amended version of the bylaw passed second reading by a vote of six to one, with Councillor Rockley voicing his opposition prior to the vote, urging council to pass the bylaw as originally drafted in order to prevent the further spread of the virus.

However, the bylaw failed to pass third reading as council wasn't unanimous.

The bylaw will be reviewed at council's next meeting, scheduled for Monday, August 17.

For now, the choice of whether or not to don a mask in public will be left to Okotokians, though councillors seemed to agree an increase in cases would make mandatory face coverings a necessity.

To view the meeting agenda, click here.

 

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