Though Airdrie City council is technically on its summer hiatus, members will hold a special meeting July 28 to debate the merits of implementing a mask-wearing bylaw in the city's public spaces.
"We have received a number of inquiries this week about masks in public places," read a statement on the City's Facebook page.
The meeting comes after the City of Calgary and City of Edmonton councils each passed face-covering bylaws to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Calgary's bylaw, which will be active as of Aug. 1, requires face coverings to be worn on public transit and in City of Calgary facilities. The bylaw also applies to public vehicles for hire, such as Taxis and ride-sharing businesses, as well as indoor public spaces, such as malls, grocery stores, retail businesses and churches.
Calgary's bylaw does include exceptions. For example, children under the age of two and people with underlying medical conditions that inhibit their ability to wear a face covering do not have to abide by the bylaw. People who are eating or drinking at a public premises that offers food or beverage services, and those who are engaging in a fitness activity, also do not need to wear them during those activities.
Like the rest of the province, Airdrie's active number of cases has risen, recently, from two on May 29 to 15 as of July 25. Fifty-one Airdronians have recovered from the virus.
Airdrie residents can share their thoughts in an email to [email protected] and can tune into the discussion online July 28 at 1 p.m. at www.airdrie.ca/livecouncil
