Discussions around mandatory mask wearing in Saskatchewan came up this week following a spike in COVID-19 cases. (File photo/CKOM News Staff)

By Josh Ryan

More Masks?

Community leaders, businesses weigh in on mandatory mask possibility

Jul 31, 2020 | 4:27 PM

The sight of mask wearing out in the public has become more commonplace in Saskatchewan, but the province’s discussion of potential ramp up of that protective measure gives municipal leaders and business owners another possible adjustment to consider in the months ahead.

Earlier this week, Premier Scott Moe and Dr. Saqib Shahab entertained the possibility of making masks mandatory in public places where people cannot keep two metres apart, following increased numbers of COVID-19 in the province.

“There may be a point in time, either on a regional basis or maybe even province wide, where we will have to go to wearing masks as a mandatory measure,” Moe said Monday. “We have not made that decision as of yet.”

Even if the reaction to that idea isn’t warm, many leaders may welcome that change over a second economic shutdown. Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie echoed the Premier’s thoughts, that while he wouldn’t necessarily be in favour of widespread mask wearing, he supports keeping the curve flat.

“I guess [you] trust what the experts are saying and we’ll definitely follow along in support of whatever our province wants us to do,” he said. “I think any measures to [make sure] we don’t go back to mid-March and April, where there was nothing going on in our economy, [are important].”

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In addition to enforcing such a rule, Leslie said one of the challenges would be properly educating everyone on proper mask handling. He also said he hopes the province continues to focus on addressing specific regions, rather than a blanket measure.

“If Northern communities, for example, are doing a good job controlling their cases, should they have to follow a mandate?” he said.

While mask wearing could disproportionately affect certain businesses, many who’ve had to adjust to open are prepared for that change were it to occur. Leeann Cunningham, Office Manager of P&W Mechanical Plumbing and Heating, said the service workers would have to add to their daily routine, but it wouldn’t greatly change their job. In the office, it would have even less of an impact.

I’m the only one in the office most of the time,” she said. “We do have customers coming in to pay bills, but not very often, they can also pay over the phone.”

Daxesh Dhameliya, Owner of Your Dollar Store, said most customers have been reasonable about maintaining space inside the store and he thinks they would adjust to masks as well.

“People should understand if they have to follow the government’s guidelines,” he said.

One cost for businesses owners to bear could be mask supply. Dhameliya said they’ve provided masks for employees, but they wear out quickly.

“There’s really a shortage of them now, what we are getting from the suppliers,” he said.

Enforcing wearing masks would be particularly new territory for law enforcement. Sgt. Jason Teniuk of the Battlefords RCMP Detachment said that isn’t something he’s seen in 20 years, much like the rest of the pandemic.

“It’s not something you’re used to,” he said. “We’re in uncharted water.”

Internal policy has increased mask wearing for police and office staff, an adjustment Teniuk said does create a barrier in connecting with the public, but one that’s necessary. If they were positioned to enforce mask wearing, he said there would have to be some form of a fine in place from the province.

“But it really depends on how that comes across, and I’m not familiar with how that [would look].”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports