Masks and Face Coverings

Qualities of a good mask

• Fits well. Completely covers your nose, mouth and chin. Fits snugly against the sides of your face with no gaps. A nose bridge wire can help to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask.
• Filters air well. When breathing, air moves through the mask and not around it.
• Can be worn comfortably and is easy to breathe through for long periods of time.
• A well fitted medical mask or a respirator (N95, KN95) may provide better protection for you and others but cloth masks are generally more comfortable to wear for longer periods.

 

For more information visit:

Optimizing the Use of Masks Against COVID-19

COVID-19 mask use: Types of masks and respirators - Canada.ca

COVID-19 mask use: How to make your mask fit properly - Canada.ca

COVID-19 mask use: How to choose, use and care for a mask - Canada.ca

COVID-19 mask use: Advice for community settings - Canada.ca

Face coverings and face masks | Ontario.ca

On October 3rd 2020, the provincial government implemented regulations requiring face coverings in certain settings. This includes mandating the use of face coverings in all public indoor settings across the province, such as businesses, facilities and workplaces, with limited exemptions. As per the revised regulation, the person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall ensure that any person in the indoor area of the premises of the business or organization, or in a vehicle that is operating as part of the business or organization, wears a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin during any period when they are in the indoor area.

 

Visit COVID-19 public health measures and advice | COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario to learn more about current public health measures, advice and restrictions.

 

When you don’t have to wear a face covering

There are some situations when you do not need to wear a face covering. You do not need medical documentation to support any of the exceptions below.

Children

Children do not have to wear a face covering indoors if they are younger than two years old.

Health and accommodations

You do not need to wear a face covering if you:

• have a medical condition that inhibits your ability to wear a face covering
• are unable to put on or remove your face covering without help from someone else
• are receiving accommodations according to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 or the Human Rights Code

Correctional institutions

You do not need to wear a face covering if you are in a:

• correctional institution
• custody program for young persons in conflict with the law
• detention program for young persons in conflict with the law

Workplaces

You do not need to wear a face covering when you are working in an area that allows you to maintain a distance of at least 2 metres from anyone else while you are indoors.

Residences and dwellings

Residents do not need to wear a face covering in:

• university dorms, retirement homes, long-term care homes or other similar dwellings except when they are in a common area and can’t maintain 2 metres from others
• residences for people with disabilities (any residences listed in the definition of “residential services and supports” in subsection 4 (2) of the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008)

Performing or rehearsing

You do not need to wear a face covering while you are performing or rehearsing for a:

• film or television production
• concert
• artistic event
• theatrical performance

Temporarily taking off your face covering

You can take off your face covering temporarily:

• to receive services that require you to take it off (for example, at the dentist, when receiving some personal care services such as facials, or when you have to verify your identity)
• to engage in an athletic or fitness activity
• to eat or drink
• as necessary for health and safety purposes

For more information visit:

• Provincial Face Covering Requirement Infographic
• Face coverings and face masks | Ontario.ca

Masks for occupational health purposes, including health care settings, may differ from those for the general public.

 

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a garment or device worn by health care workers to protect themselves from infection when they:

• are in close contact with people who are infected
• can’t maintain a safe physical distance
• do not have access to a physical barrier

The type of PPE you need depends on the type of health care work you do.

 

Learn more about Public Health Ontario’s PPE recommendations in health care facilities.

 

If you are a business or health care organization and you need PPE, you can find a company or business association that supplies personal protective equipment.