COVID-19 and mask-wearing in Whistler

Masks mandatory in all RMOW facilities beginning October 26, 2020

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

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.

Read the full policy 

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-publicly accessible area where 2m physical distance can be maintained (ie. a private office), or who are within or behind a physical barrier (e.g. Plexiglass)
• Persons participating in a sport or fitness activity in a sport or fitness facility, including water based activities;
• Persons consuming food or drink or;
• For any emergency or medical purpose.

Wearing a mask should be combined with other important preventative measures such as frequent hand washing and physical distancing. Only wearing a mask is not enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Read the BC Centre for Disease Control's information about mask-wearing to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

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 lock down and so that we can ski and ride and enjoy our winter season. Find out why in Whistler, we wear masks.