Mandatory masks in public places
The Ministerial Order of the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General provides requirements for masks in many public indoor settings and all retail stores. There are exemptions for:

People with health conditions or with physical, cognitive or mental impairments who cannot wear one
People who cannot remove a mask on their own
Children under the age of 12
People who need to remove their masks to communicate due to a hearing impairment
What employers need to do
Employers should provide signage on the mandatory mask policy and inform customers about the requirement.

Employers should ensure that workers are provided with information on how to discuss mandatory mask usage with customers, including what to do if they refuse or become abusive. Employers should review their violence prevention policy to ensure that it addresses safety issues that may arise.

What workers need to do
Workers must abide by the protocols and policies in their employer's COVID-19 Safety Plan, which may include the use of masks for some circumstances.

Resources for employers and workers
A resource guide on selecting appropriate masks for non-healthcare settings
A workplace poster for the use and care of masks
Refer to Controlling exposure: Assessing and applying appropriate controls for information about how masks fit into an effective COVID-19 Safety Plan
Workplace poster indicating the mandatory use of masks
BC Human Rights Commissioner: A human rights approach to mask wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for ensuring workers and customers wear masks?

Employers should provide signage on the mandatory mask policy and inform customers about the requirement.

Who enforces the public mask requirement?

To report contraventions of the mask order, people are asked to contact their local government’s bylaw office. If they are unable to reach a local bylaw office, they can contact their local police department’s non-emergency line. Police may be called if someone becomes threatening or abusive in response to a request to put on a mask.

If everyone is wearing a mask, does that mean we no longer need other protocols, such as physical distancing and barriers?

No. Mask wearing is just one part of an effective COVID-19 Safety Plan. All other workplace protocols including health checks, physical distancing, barriers, masks, and cleaning protocols need to remain in place, and you must ensure that they are being followed appropriately.

What can be worn as a mask?

Members of the public are advised to wear a mask, defined in the order as a medical or non-medical mask that covers the nose and mouth. Face shields are not a substitute for a mask, as there is an opening below the mouth. Employers are advised to review selecting and using masks in non-health care settings for guidance on appropriate masks for workers.

How should employers manage the exemptions to this order?

This order includes exemptions for:

People with health conditions or with physical, cognitive, or mental impairments who cannot wear one
People who cannot remove a mask on their own
Children under the age of 12
People who need to remove their masks to communicate due to a hearing impairment
Employers are not required to ask members of the public for proof that an exemption applies to them.