Masks to be Mandatory in Commercial Establishments

The HKPR District Health Unit has issued an order effective July 13, that all “Operator(s) of an enclosed Public Space will have a policy to ensure that no member of the public is permitted to enter or remain in the public areas of the enclosed public space unless they are wearing a mask in a manner that covers their nose, mouth and chin.”  Affected establishments include stores, malls/plazas, restaurants, personal service settings,  gas stations, indoor farmers’ markets –  any areas open to the public.  Outdoor patios are excepted.  Enforcement will be primarily aimed at the “operators” with the intent being to educate individuals.  Medical Officer for Health Dr. Lynn Noseworthy said: “Wearing a mask is about protecting other people, and reduces the likelihood that someone could unknowingly spread the virus to another person.  Provincially, we have seen a number of asymptomatic cases,” she says. “This is just another step in doing what we can to protect our family, friends and neighbours in our communities.”

No Frills - 27 March 2020
No Frills – 27 March 2020

More details

  • Owners and operators of commercial establishments currently operating during Stage 2 will be required to have policies in place to stop people from entering the establishment if they are not wearing a non-medical mask or face covering.
  • Instructions for masking are effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 13, 2020.  Non-medical masks or face coverings will be required in commercial establishments currently operating during Stage 2 while the provincial Emergency Orders remain in force or until such time as these instructions are discontinued by the local Medical Officer of Health.
  • Commercial establishments are premises that are openly accessible to members of the public and are used for the purposes of offering goods or services for sale to members of the public and include a mall or other structure containing commercial premises, and currently include the following:
    • Retail stores, convenience stores, malls/plazas, restaurants, personal service settings, grocery stores and bakeries, gas stations, indoor farmers’ markets, areas of mechanics’ shops/ garages/ repair shops, which are open to the public (Photo of No-Frills on 27 March)
  • Face shields are not equivalent to non-medical masks or face coverings for source protection and are best suited to be used as addition personal protection equipment in addition to a non-medical mask or other face covering but not alone.

Exceptions

  • Establishments that do not fall under the definition of a commercial establishment are:
    • Schools, child care centres, business offices that are not open to members of the public, professional offices where clients receive purchased services (e.g., lawyers’ offices) that are not open to members of the public, hospitals, independent health facilities, offices of regulated health professionals.
  • Exempt individuals include young children, a person who is unable to remove their mask without assistance or has a medical or religious reason.
  • Members of the public are permitted the temporary removal of a mask where necessary for the purpose of:
    • receiving services (including eating or drinking when dine-in services are allowed) or
    • while actively engaging in an athletic or fitness activity including water-based activities.
  • Although only one case is spelled out (restaurant patios), this does not apply outdoors since it specifically applies to indoors.

Enforcement

  • People in an Enclosed Public Space who remove their mask for extended periods of time, will receive a verbal reminder of the requirement to wear a mask
  • Public Health Inspectors from the HKPR District Health Unit, as well as municipal bylaw and local police officers will be involved in providing additional education and enforcement to operators of commercial establishments.
  • As per the EMCPA (Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act), those businesses that do not comply with the requirements may be liable for a fine of $750 to $1,000 for an individual, to a maximum of $100,000 or in the case of a corporation, not more than $10,000,000 for each day or part of each day on which the offence occurs or continues.
  • Can a person be refused service for not wearing a non-medical mask or face covering? The requirement should be enforced in “good faith” and any person not wearing a mask will receive a verbal reminder from the staff of the establishment. There is no a need for a business to turn away the customer to achieve the best effort standard.

Note that employees are included in the order.

My personal observation is that less than 50% of people in Cobourg currently wear masks indoors.

The order is in effect until such time as the Medical Officer for Health for HKPR District Health Unit lifts it.

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Kevin
4 years ago

To wear a mask or not? That is the question. There is information on the WHO and Mayo Clinic websites regarding masks. These websites may not have the same status as youtube videos but do provide some information. The information changes as we learn more about Covid 19. It is still a very new disease. How effective is wearing a mask may not be clear. However, if wearing a mask will allow going to stage 3 and/or open schools in September it is a relatively small price to pay. Having schools closed in September will cause problems far greater than wearing a mask. This is a very real possibility in a country not far from here. Wearing a mask helps to remind us that we are in a pandemic. Hopefully this will help people to be more careful resulting in a reduction of disease transmission.

Catherine
4 years ago

ALL perceptions/perspectives are valid when it comes to the collective-consciousness. I offer these links for those who may be questioning or critically-thinking about the topic of “masks” at this time.

1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ODBTdNiG0&feature=emb_logo

2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6B96XoBboc&feature=youtu.be
 
3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKHq1ixEYhQ&feature=youtu.be

4) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN1jQinyhsA&feature=youtu.be

5) https://aapsonline.org/mask-facts/

jimq
Reply to  Catherine
4 years ago

What stupidity! Any wonder they are dropping like flies in the USA. They write this garbage and the nutbars actually fall for it. I imagine that’s because everything you read on the internet is true eh? Hard to believe there may be people up here in Canada who might fall for this crapola.

Frenchy
Reply to  jimq
4 years ago

There’s a least one.

Hard to believe there may be people up here in Canada who might fall for this crapola.

Keith Oliver
Reply to  Catherine
4 years ago

Catherine (or whoever you are)

I looked at your five sites and have the following questions that I feel you are obliged to answer if you expect any credibility!

(1) With virtually little if anything known about the behaviour of this virus and it’s treatment do you not believe it best to err on the side of caution?
(2) Why do you promote the “conclusions” of individuals as opposed to credible organizations represented by the likes of Dr Theresa Tam, Dr Anthony Fauci, Dr Bonnie Henry and the WHO? to name only a few.

(3) If you are convinced that masks don’t work to at least limit the spread of infected aerosols, what’s the alternative, or should the strict lockdown continue? It’s irresponsible to criticize without offering an alternative or at least the pathway to finding one.

(4) With an offering such as represented by the 5 sites, and to support an open and frank discussion why don’t you use your real name? Not doing so raises the question … What have you got to hide?

As the tag line of a prominent American newspaper states ” Democracy dies in darkness!”

Last edited 4 years ago by Keith Oliver
swbuyer
Reply to  Keith Oliver
4 years ago

Keith,

I suggest that you leave your attitude at home and provide factual comments that advance the discussion, rather than “shoot the messenger” and personal slurs.

You assume (always a bad choice) that Catherine is not the commentor’s real name. On what basis? How does this slur contribute to the discussion?

Catherine’s credibility is in no way dependent on your feelings. The sites are not hers and she offered no comment or opinion about them. She has nothing to defend especially to someone who engages in personal slurs and unfounded assumptions.

  1. A reasonable question if she had offered an opinion on the use of mask. She did not. All she offered were some sites offering alternative view regarding mask wearing for those interested and she makes it very clear who these sites might appeal to. Clearly, Keith, not your cup of tea. Why did you go to these sites?
  2. She doesn’t promote anything. As noted in 1, all she does is offer some sites for those interested.
  3. Where does she say that she is convinced that masks don’t work? Where does she criticize? She offers no opinion and makes no judgement whatever.
  4. Again with the “real name” slur. Why the double standard? Have you challenged Dubious, Frenchy, Fact Checker, jimq, Bryan, Rob, Matt, Barry and the numerous other commenters who use a single name or a pseudonym? What does the commenter’s name have to do with their ability to participate in a frank and open discussion. Why is the commenter’s name relevant? …prominent American newspaper….Which paper? Who’s hiding things now? I suggest the problem is more likely a function of a closed mind.
Last edited 4 years ago by swbuyer
Canuck Patriot
Reply to  swbuyer
4 years ago

Keith’s comments came across as highly patronizing, which took the focus off the issue of masks and instead placed it on his condescending attitude.

Name has nothing to do with the message or a logical argument.

When the left doesn’t get its way, the handbook says goes on the attack with personal name calling. In other words go after the messenger when you can’t attack the message with logic or a solid argument.

For the record, I favour face masks at this time. We are far from seeing the end of COVID anytime soon.

Last edited 4 years ago by Canuck Patriot
Keith Oliver
Reply to  Canuck Patriot
4 years ago

Swbuyer and Canuck Patriot

I appreciate your response to my questions to Catherine about her post. Your comments only serve to reinforce what I had to say.

Canuck Patriot
Reply to  Keith Oliver
4 years ago

Keith you are only proving what I said. Everybody has an opinion but debate the opinion and not the name of the person. Your ad hominem attacks are what turns people off.

swbuyer
Reply to  Keith Oliver
4 years ago

Keith:
A totally predictable response: fluffy and absolutely no content. Catherine is not responsible for the content of the websites, therefore not responsible for answering your questions.
You, on the other hand Keith, are totally responsible for answering questions regarding your opinions, bad assumptions, flawed logic and double standards.
It’s time to stop blowing smoke.

Keith Oliver
Reply to  swbuyer
4 years ago

swbuyer

What slurs? In an effort to maintain a level of respect I asked Catherine 5 simple questions … And by the way how do we know you’re not Catherine?

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Keith Oliver
4 years ago

Btw, you asked Catherine 4 “simple questions”.

Frenchy
Reply to  Wally Keeler
4 years ago

Mr. Oliver actually asked 5 questions of Catherine but only listed 4. There’s 5 question marks tucked in his post to her.
Whether or not they were simple questions is a whole other topic.🤔

Frenchy
Reply to  Catherine
4 years ago

I don’t think you need a mask either Catherine.
But, do us a favour and stay home, or give us a heads-up if you plan on being out and about, so we can stay home.

Malcom H Thomas
4 years ago

If we are ever going to progress to Stage 3 of reopening masks are going to be needed, especially where social distancing can become a challenge: in elevators, mass transit some workplaces, schools and post secondary institutions.
By wearing a mask, we not only help out frontline workers but lower the risk of spread, making the job of contact tracers more manageable, with hopefully better outcomes.

If we think wearing a mask is intrusive, wait until they come out with a contact tracing app; then watch the emotional fireworks.
We need to be ever mindful, by withnessing what is taking place to the south of us. An overwhelmed healthcare system doesn’t do anyone any good.
Looking out for each other and our communities is what truly makes us Canadians.

MiriamM
4 years ago

Places where wearing of a non-medical mask by the public is exempted include “hospitals, independent health facilities, offices of regulated health professionals.”
Am I missing something? I think such places are very much places a mask should be worn! Except for an oral treatment, perhaps. Or, is the expectation these places would not trust use of a non-medical mask and would provide a proper grade mask to a member of the public instead? How is an indoor public waiting room in such places not deemed a ‘commercial establishment’?

jimq
4 years ago

I saw this yesterday, and thought it quite true.& direct to the point – “Man, all these doctors, nurses, microbiologists, immunologists, epidermiologists, & other researchers keep saying COVID-19 is dangerous, but all these people who barely passed science in high school keep saying it’s not. It’s so hard to know who to believe any more”.

Last edited 4 years ago by jimq
Matt
Reply to  jimq
4 years ago

Questioning the logic, efficacy, timing and motivations behind the measures being taken isn’t the same as denying the seriousness of COVID-19.

Keith Oliver
Reply to  Matt
4 years ago

Matt
Your point is well taken provided the questioning is constructive which so often in these blogs it is not. A number of folks I talk to think the standard of discourse is so low, in many cases so off-track and personal, that they only read John’s excellent articles and think the so called discussion that follows a waste of time.

There is also the matter of correspondents using false names. Mine is real and I’m in what now passes for our phone book. Just what are you people hidding from?

An example of destructive questioning is the sarcasim in your 7:37 pm July 8 posting, followed at 7:59 by Mrs Anonymous and her contempt for the various Officers of Health, followed by you at 8:03 with the proposal that these officials should be elected by a popular vote. An election? … based on what? What you don’t seem to recognize is that effectively we do vote for or against them when we either follow or don’t follow their recommendations.

I fully support the “questioning” you propose provided it is constructive. There are moments when that happens and those instances are worth reading. More of them and these blogs could become informative and valuable.

Last edited 4 years ago by Keith Oliver
Matt
Reply to  Keith Oliver
4 years ago

Lot to address here:

First off, you have it backwards. I wasn’t suggesting we vote for public health officials. I was stating my opposition to unelected beaurocrats unilaterally enacting legislation. Their job is to advise the officials we do elect when they make those decisions. Pandemic or no pandemic, this is a slippery slope. Let’s see how popular this new arrangement is around here when one of these unelected officials lays down an edict that causes taxes to go up by a single nickel.

As for the level of discourse in this comments section, trust me it could be so, so much worse. You’re offended by the odd bit of mild sarcasm. Fine. I’m not big on racist/xenophobic dog whistles, fear mongering, petty selfishness disguised as “common sense ideology,” people making a virtue-signalling meal out of COVID-19 or stating that their opinions represent those of the “Real Cobourg,” thus relegating anyone who disagrees with them the “not part of it” pile. I’ll work on reducing the sarcasm when I see a reduction in those…agreed?

Finally, as for the anonymity thing, I think what you’re seeing may largely boil down to a generational difference. In my experience those who have spent the majority of their lives communicating via the internet tend to be more comfortable using a handle, or first name-only, whereas those who have spent their lives using the phonebook tend to be more comfortable identifying themselves as you have. I do think it’s worth noting that only one of those demographics is particularly prone to being ripped off in Nigerian Prince or Grandparent scams. You may want to consider that.

Deborah O'Connor
Reply to  Matt
4 years ago

That last bit was insulting to this senior. As someone who was instrumental in getting our Help Centre and Legal Centre up and running in this County, working in both for over 22 years, I am the least gullible old lady you could find. Here’s a tip: don’t generalize, I’ve dealt with plenty of gullible victims in their 20s. It’s not age related.

Matt
Reply to  Deborah O'Connor
4 years ago

It shouldn’t have been. Read the lead-up to it to give it some context.

Does the Legal Centre advise it’s clients that plastering their full name all over everything they do on the internet is a good idea?

Gerinator
4 years ago

About time, long overdue. Exemplars being: Wasaga & Trinty Bellwood prove that when a situation occurs affecting large/diverse groups half measures cannot be used. Can’t satisfy all the people! Further folks seem to think that there is a ready made solution out there regarding this version of Coronavirus – there isn’t and so we are left with deriving the best decisions/solutions, using the best information at any one point in time, time is fluid and so will the solution(s). This is a global problem (500K dead and counting) causing a requirement to isolate families, counties, provinces, countries. If you don’t believe that then check out the sitrep in PEI where 1 Islander meets up with a American while in NS. Thankfully PEI can do, coz there are no greater number of infections on there books, contact tracing; in Ontario I’m uncertain it would be possible to do effective contact tracing. Finally I believe that an individuals rights are only applicable up to where those rights don’t physically (and mentally) invade/harm my body and mind. So cut the crap, cut the whining and wear your GD mask, help someone out that isn’t YOU.

Barry
4 years ago

I agree with implementation of this precaution and the mandatory PPE requirement. If we all do our part we will be safer and protecting those most vulnerable. The COVID-19 virus is still here, circulating in our population. Stay calm, wear a mask.

sandpiper
4 years ago

Hey I still believe that the Health Dept should be checking all the food handlers in the restaurants and take outs what makes this any different from when we had SARS or Aides
just a few years ago

Rob
Reply to  sandpiper
4 years ago

Sandpiper – I fail to see any correlation between Covid-19 and AIDS. There are NO confirmed cases of ANYONE catching Covid-19 (or AIDS) from restaurant food. Safe Food handling practices and/or certificates are in place in Canadian restaurants as they have been for a very long time.

Also I just checked the first confirmed case of HIV/AIDS was in 1983 which was certainly more than a few years ago.

Mrs. Anonymous
4 years ago

Perhaps Ms. Noseworthy could have the public health unit staff monitor mask use as she deems it important. After all, it appears she certainly hasn’t used public health unit resources on long term health care as under her jurisdiction where several people DIED in Bobcaygeon.*

+https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-covid-19-kills-nine-infects-34-staff-at-bobcaygeon-nursing-home/. (Please see Noseworthy’s comments toward the end of the article. pathetic)

I am not sure why citizens of Northumberland, hkprhu, Ontario or Canada are giving these health unit people a free pass when it’s pretty clear from Tam right on down to the Noseworthy’s that our public officials have Screwed up. They hector the low hanging fruit to scare the gullible yet well meaning to wear masks where risk is low to negligible while they ignored the plight of long term home care and migrant workers.

Last edited 4 years ago by Mrs. Anonymous
Matt
Reply to  Mrs. Anonymous
4 years ago

And none of us got the chance to vote for any of them, nor will we have the opportunity to vote them out after this.

Fact Checker
Reply to  Mrs. Anonymous
4 years ago

Peterborough announced that masks will not be required in Peterborough. Why the different approach? I hope that Dr. Noseworthy can explain why.

Compared to Peterborough, Northumberland has had fewer cases and has no active cases. Why has Dr. Noseworthy taken this dramatic (overreaching) step?

https://globalnews.ca/news/7152837/coronavirus-peterborough-public-health-mask-wearing-policy/

Peterborough Public Health says face mask-wearing won’t be made mandatory during the coronavirus pandemic
As of Tuesday evening, there were no active cases in the region among the 95 confirmed cases. The last reported case was on June 20.

Last edited 4 years ago by Fact Checker
Keith Oliver
Reply to  Fact Checker
4 years ago

Matt and Fact Checker

Low numbers is what Noseworty is acting to protect. Many examples of when restrictions relaxed significant numbers of people abandon any precaution and situation takes two steps back. What is so difficult about wearing a mask and distancing. Look at US.

Elect our appointed Health Officials? You must be kidding. The problem with their Republican form of democracy is that every one is elected from the President, to local Judges to the Dog Catcher.

It took Canada 215 years of incremental change to go from a Colany to a self-govrning Nation. It took the Americans 12 years. We’re doing just fine!

Last edited 4 years ago by Keith Oliver
greengrass
Reply to  Keith Oliver
4 years ago

The problem with their Republican form of democracy is that every one is elected from the President, to local Judges to the Dog Catcher.(republicans & democrats go by this form of Gov. as it should be!)

Keith Oliver
Reply to  greengrass
4 years ago

Greengrass

There are many different forms of government referred to as a “democracy” and in that sense I was using “Republican” to describe the American form of democratic government and not the American political party.

The Canadian form of both Federal and Provincial government is very different from the American Republican form. We follow a Westminster form of parliamentary democracy with a hereditary constitutional monarch as head of state. Our political leader is a Prime Minister, or First Minister, not elected by a popular vote but by the elected members of the majority political Party and could be removed by those members at anytime. The closest American equivalent to Justin Trudeau is Nancy Pelosi, but different.

One can also argue that to accomodate the regional differences in a country as vast and as diverse as Canada a Federation of semi-autonimous Provinces was formed modeled after the Indigenous Confederacies that existed all across North America at the time of European settlement. Examples are the Five Nations or Iroquois Confederacy in the East, the Sauk Fox Confederacy and Miami Confederacy in the Centre and the Blackfoot Confederacy in the West. But I’m getting way off topic. Hopes this helps clarify what I said.

Last edited 4 years ago by Keith Oliver
Matt
4 years ago

People who have to use Personal Protective Equipment are supposed to be trained on how to properly do so.

Someone sticking their thumb/fingers into their mask to take it on and off each time they go and touch things in five different stores isn’t preventing the spread of anything. They just look like they are…which is the important thing, right?

Informed
Reply to  Matt
4 years ago

I would have to agree here from what i observe

Matt
4 years ago

Non-essential retail stores have been open for a month and a half with only very few having a mandatory mask policy. Unless something’s changed, Northumberland has exactly the same number of cases now as it did then. Why now?

And considering this amounts to, “please put on a mask…but it’s up to you if you listen to me,” what exact purpose does this serve, other than saying we did it?

Small Town Lover
Reply to  Matt
4 years ago

We have more tourists now that’s why.

Rob
Reply to  Small Town Lover
4 years ago

And here I thought the tourists didn’t spend any money in town?

Bryan
Reply to  Rob
4 years ago

“tourists” is too broad a category for such a statement. Tourists, meaning those who visit the museum, art gallery, Victoria Hall, restaurants, shops, etc certainly do spend money. “Beachers” on the other hand, spend little/nothing and they require additional services that cost the Town (taxpayers) to provide.

Matt
Reply to  Bryan
4 years ago

Not true. When a family of say, five comes into town to go to the beach, typically at least a couple of them, (especially younger people), are going to leave the beach to wander downtown with every intention of spending money there.

Businesses who aren’t capitalizing on that should be asking themselves why they’re not doing more to cater to that demographic.

Dubious
Reply to  Matt
4 years ago

Please explain why it is the responsibility of our tax payers to pay all expenses to maintain the beach in order to help a couple of downtown merchants. Plus the beachers make the beach too crowded for locals to enjoy it.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Dubious
4 years ago

“…make the beach too crowded for locals to enjoy it.

The beach is crowded on the Canada Day Weekend, the Civic Holiday weekend and Labour Day weekend. 12 Days (weather permitting) out of 365 days. There is plenty of room on the other 353 days.

Frenchy
Reply to  Wally Keeler
4 years ago

That beach picnic in January just doesn’t feel the same.
Good point though, there is plenty of time to enjoy the beach all year. Let’s advertise to “the beachers” that our beautiful beach is free for them to enjoy from September to May. Unlimited, free access. However, on those other 90 something days, it’s $10/head to help with the cost of cleaning up the mess they leave behind. Oh yeah, parking will be a little extra too.
There, we can all have our cake.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Frenchy
4 years ago

it’s $10/head to help with the cost of cleaning up the mess they leave behind.”

This just in: First interim report on the causes and manifestations of divergent think procedure concerning the mess on the beach: sentence to be completed, “as well as the mess that locals leave behind.”

Frenchy
Reply to  Wally Keeler
4 years ago

Locals are already paying for the cleanup through our taxes.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Frenchy
4 years ago

And charge 5$ for every vehicle that drives out onto the east pier. Vehicles cause much more stress than pedestrians and they should pay for repairs and upkeep to the pier.

Frenchy
Reply to  Wally Keeler
4 years ago

Visitor vehicles, yes. Us locals already pay for repairs and upkeep with our taxes.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Frenchy
4 years ago

Exactly and we should stiff all non-resident visitors $20 or $30 to drive out onto the pier and look at the water through their windshield. We can further stiff the people from Northumberland and other outsiders with a $30 – $50 fee for a beach day pass (9am-7pm). That should cover the costs of beach stress repairs caused not only by outsiders but make them pay for the stress we residents put on the beach. (win win) We have a terrific money-maker here and we should charge to the maximum we can get. If this discourages outsiders from coming to Cobourg, then even better, because enough people on this blog and elsewhere loath the presence of outsiders, spreading garbage and litter all over and the countless diapers buried in the sand by outsiders and all the other complaints listed by locals. We can reduce our taxes by making visitors pay a hefty price to drive out onto the pier, and a lesser charge for residents to drive out onto the pier. Why should taxes be used for the pier — it should be user pays, local users as well as outsiders.

Deborah O'Connor
Reply to  Wally Keeler
4 years ago

Wally: You’re joking right?

Frenchy
Reply to  Deborah O'Connor
4 years ago

I don’t know, he sounds pretty serious.
😉

Last edited 4 years ago by Frenchy
Wally Keeler
Reply to  Frenchy
4 years ago

That beach picnic in January just doesn’t feel the same.”

Tell that to the CTA; they wanted the beach closed to everyone until Dec 30, beach picnics included, but you had nothing to say about that.

Rob
Reply to  Wally Keeler
4 years ago

https://www.valcartier.com/en/accommodations/ice-hotel/

Maybe we just need some creativity…

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Rob
4 years ago

Yes, creativity, something that is seriously lacking in this Town.

Frenchy
Reply to  Wally Keeler
4 years ago

Sounds like a dumb idea. I’m sure not too many people (visitors or locals) would use our beach in November and December. Let those few have at it.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Frenchy
4 years ago

Yes, I thought it was a dumb idea when I first read that the CTA recommended it.

Informed
Reply to  Wally Keeler
4 years ago

So we can’t go down to the Beach On December 25 th this year?Not sure what we are going to do🤯

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Informed
4 years ago

Those with a smidgeon of imagination always know what to do.

Bryan
Reply to  Matt
4 years ago

Matt:
What exactly is not true: 1. Tourist (my definition) spend money downtown, 2. Beachers spend little /nothing, 3. Beachers require additional services that cost the Town to provide?
I suggest you tell your story to the King St merchants. I doubt you will find any (or more than a few) who will agree with you. The story the merchants tell is that the “beachers” spend very little downtown and do not contribute to the their profitability in any significant way. There are exceptions of course: the two ice cream shops and Green Canoe.

Rob
Reply to  Bryan
4 years ago

What else is true, and I would encourage you to ask merchants, is the negative impact and contradictory messaging, that a localized mandatory mask protocol 4 months into a pandemic will have on their business. This does not instill confidence as we enter Stage 3 of the reopening plan. I saw a funny comment – A mask protocol at this point is like wearing a condom to the baby shower.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Bryan
4 years ago

And pizza joints. There are YouTube vids showing beachers coming uptown to buy 5 – 6 pizzas. There is also a vid of four GTAers coming to Cobourg in a van because they rented a cottage outside town for the weekend and purchased a couple buggies of groceries locally. There’s more like that.

Last edited 4 years ago by Wally Keeler
Informed
Reply to  Matt
4 years ago

There is no discretionary income spent by people using the beach unless you include an ice cream or walk to the dollar store downtown which no longer exists.i still want to see a report for all costs to opearte the beach. Only then can we come up with an amount to charge vistors.

Ken Strauss
Reply to  Matt
4 years ago

The Waterfront Survey for Business asked:

…please indicate the range that represents your estimate of the dollar value to your business that was generated by visitors to the Town.

The answer was that nothing generated more than $5000 for any business and about 65% of the merchants said “no additional business”. It would be better and cheaper to just pay the merchants and eliminate the beach mobs!

Last edited 4 years ago by Ken Strauss
Wally Keeler
Reply to  Ken Strauss
4 years ago

The best way to reduce beach mobs is to stiff non-residents with a good gouge price. Not just to cover the costs of their stress to the beach but also to cover the costs of our stress to the beach. It applies to everyone not a resident of Cobourg. Proof of residence must be shown, so that local residents accompanied with family members, whether they come from the GTA or Creighton Heights, must pay the premium price. Lets get all $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ we can.

Matt
Reply to  Small Town Lover
4 years ago

There has been a steadily increasing stream of out-of-town visitors for the past month and a half. No mask by-law, but physical distancing rules in place. Zero new cases.

What this by-law ensures is that just about every one of those out-of-town visitors that goes into a store is going to be handling a filthy mask immediately before touching the door handle.

But hey, everyone can say they LOOK like they’re doing their part to #stop the spread and #embrace the new normal.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Matt
4 years ago

Oh for heaven’s sake Matt. I always bring a hand sanitizer with me and spray every door handle before I touch and my hands after departing the store. I use my cane to press the OPEN button. Remember, Every human being is a potential contaminant.

Kevin
4 years ago

I suspect this rule is to get as many people as possible to wear masks before going to stage 3. Stage 3 could have more businesses open including restaurants with dine-in service. Sort of like how we are to practice sorting our recycling (it all goes in the same part of the truck for now) before private operators take over. Once we we are good at sorting cost to the private operator goes down. Once we are good at wearing masks there is a smaller risk of spreading a virus and Stage 3 can start. It is interesting that schools are exempt. The risk of death is small for the students but the risk of spreading viruses is great. Once a school gets even one case all students, their families and school employees might need to self isolate.

Matt
Reply to  Kevin
4 years ago

If what you suspect is true, then it’s the decision-makers’ responsibility to clearly explain it.

Instead, they laid down an edict, and then said they would rely on “good faith,” (otherwise known as shaming), to enforce it.

This is an, at best, ineffectual and at worst, potentially harmful measure that even the people responsible for it won’t put their backs behind because the justifications for it are, “cover my behind, just in case,” and “wow, for the first time in my career, I actually get to do this!”

Jake
4 years ago

Just wait until they open the downtown to the sidewalk sale event and singing and dancing in the street .. not like anyone does anything to enforce it in Cobourg …

Rob
Reply to  Jake
4 years ago

They should not be mandatory during the outside portion of the sidewalk sale….masks are required in indoor public spaces only.

greengrass
Reply to  Jake
4 years ago

what sale? DBIA Sidewalk Sale July 30 to August 2 Downtown Cobourg Cancelled

Jake
Reply to  greengrass
4 years ago

According to the DBIA, they are planning on opening up the sidewalks and streets downtown to the restaurants to expand patios and the businesses to sell outside on the street for 4 weekends in July and August with music apparently provided by some local musicians ..

Rob
Reply to  greengrass
4 years ago

There is no reason to cancel it so hopefully they will reinstate it and control it.

jimq
4 years ago

Better late than never! We need this emergency order in this community. People are getting way too lax with their “social distancing”. As the saying goes – “Mask it or Casket?”

Fact Checker
Reply to  jimq
4 years ago

Yes for Toronto, Brampton, Ottawa, Leamington, the hot spots. As for Northumberland: exactly how many active c19 cases are there? How many verified positive tests? How many deaths? There is no scientific basis to justify the need for this level of “protection” in this area that has had almost non-existent C19 activity.
This is pure fear mongering to see if the sheeple will comply.

Rob
Reply to  Fact Checker
4 years ago

Agreed.

Canuck Patriot
Reply to  Fact Checker
4 years ago

Oh my! Another progressive protestor no doubt who thinks they are infallible.

Cobourg could easily become a hot spot. It only takes coming in contact with one infected person.

Fact Checker
Reply to  Canuck Patriot
4 years ago

They may be more knowledgeable than you, able to think for themselves, willing to accept reasonable risks and not be a sheeple.
Everyone must evaluate the risk in their own context and act accordingly. If your assessment is that C19 is a significant danger to your health, then take appropriate action for yourself. Stay in your fortress, and when you do go out, wear a mask & splash shield and maintain your social distance

Dubious
Reply to  Fact Checker
4 years ago

The only problem with your “logic” is that non-medical grade masks such as are required only help to protect others. The “more knowledgeable” and “able to think for themselves” without masks will be infecting others with or without masks. A great example of selfishness!

Matt
Reply to  Canuck Patriot
4 years ago

“Another progressive protester…”

Oh my! Doesn’t the Ayn Rand crapolla go out the window quickly when you’re in the at-risk demographic.

Mark
Reply to  jimq
4 years ago

They probably should started this in April , when most people were wearing masks all the time

Rob
Reply to  jimq
4 years ago

I will give you credit for the catchy rhyme however it is slightly over dramatic don’t you think? 123 people currently hospitalized in the entire Province…..