Masks will be mandatory in all RMOW facilities as of October 26

Masks will be mandatory at all indoor municipal facilities as of October 26, 2020 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) Council endorsed a new mask-wearing policy at their Regular Meeting on October 20, 2020. A recording of the meeting can be viewed here.

This means all staff and visitors at Municipal Hall, Meadow Park Sports Centre, community centres, Whistler Public Library and Public Works buildings will be required to wear masks when inside those buildings. Disposable masks will be provided for those who arrive without one.

There are several exemptions:

• Children under two years of age; or children under the age of five years either chronologically or developmentally who refuse to wear a mask or face covering and cannot be persuaded to do so by their caregiver;
• Persons with medical conditions who cannot safely wear a mask or face covering due to breathing difficulties, cognitive difficulties, hearing or communication difficulties;
• Persons who cannot wear or remove a mask or face covering without assistance;
• Staff who are in a non-publically accessible area where 2 metres of physical distance can be maintained (ie. a private office), or who are within or behind a physical barrier (e.g. Plexiglass)
• Persons actively engaging in an athletic or fitness activity, including water-based activities;
• Persons consuming food or drink or;
• For any emergency or medical purpose.

“In Whistler, we wear masks because we care about each other and we want to protect vulnerable members on our community,” said Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton. “The BC Centre for Disease control says wearing a mask can help protect others from COVID-19. Mask-wearing alone is not enough, we need to remain vigilant on all COVID-19 prevention measures in Whistler, especially physical distancing, hand washing, staying home if we are sick and limiting our gatherings.”

The RMOW’s mask-wearing policy is in place to encourage mask-wearing in our community and to support other local businesses with mandatory mask policies in place. In Whistler, there are many good reasons to wear a mask: to help protect our vulnerable community members, to help protect our front-line workers, to help local businesses survive by helping to avoid a second lockdown and so that we can ski and ride and enjoy our winter season.

For more information and to read the full policy visit whistler.ca/masks