New temporary mandatory face coverings Bylaw No. 1969 in effect
Due to the rise in Covid-19 cases across our region, the Council of the Municipal District of Taber has enacted a temporary mandatory face coverings Bylaw No. 1969, effective December 1, 2020 until further notice.
Everyone ages 10 and over are required to wear a face covering at all times while in an indoor, enclosed, or substantially enclosed public setting, or in a public vehicle except where exemptions apply. View Frequent Questions below for full details and exemption information.
This bylaw does contain enforcement for violations with a $100 fine. The Municipal District of Taber’s intention is not to be punitive, but those who refuse to comply with the mandatory measures can be subject to a fine.
Visit the provincial government website for more information on mask requirements or to help prevent the spread along with practicing good hygiene, maintaining physical distancing, getting tested, and monitoring for symptoms.
Educating our community and supports for business
We are all in this together. We encourage our community leaders to work together to educate and encourage each other to wear face coverings, to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, and to prevent a spike in infection rates.
We also understand that not everyone is able to wear a mask or face covering, so we ask everyone to please, BE KIND to those unable to do so.
"BE KIND" Poster series
A downloadable poster series for community and business is available:
Face covering required - 11x17 poster (477 KB)
Face coverings required - 8.5 x 11 poster (386 KB)
Face coverings required - poster series (1.6 MB)
You are welcome to display messaging in public entryways of the business or vehicle.
Frequent Questions
What if I forget to bring a face covering with me?
Signage at the entrance to government-owned facilities will serve as a reminder to wear a non-medical mask (face covering) when indoors.
If you are visiting a business, please consider the bylaw is in place to further reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and to prevent a spike in infection rates.
Who is exempt?
The new face covering bylaw does not apply to the following persons:
- Anyone under the age of 10.
- Anyone unable to place, use, or remove a face covering without assistance.
- Anyone unable to wear a face covering due to a mental or physical concern or limitation, or a protected ground under the Albert human Rights Act, RSA 2000, c A25.5, as may be amended.
- Anyone consuming food or drink in designated seating areas or as part of a religious or spiritual ceremony.
- Anyone engaged in physical activities, water activities, or the paid supervision of water activities, or attending within a sauna or steam room.
- Anyone providing care or assistance to a person with a disability where a face covering would hinder that caregiving or assistance.
- Anyone engaging in services that require the temporary removal of a face covering.
- Anyone participating in a dance, theatrical or musical public performance, if all participants in the performance are able to maintain at least two metres of physical distance from each other and do not enter the areas where the public is viewing the performance.
- Anyone providing or receiving a service that requires personal consultation if that activity occurs in a closed office or meeting room and all participants in the personal consultation are able to maintain physical separation of at least two metres from each other.
- Anyone separated from others by physical barriers or shields such as plexiglas.
The new face covering bylaw does not apply to the following places:
- Schools and other educational facilities
- Hospitals and health-care facilities
- Child care facilities
- Areas exclusively accessed or used by the public place's employees or a public vehicle operator, or platform and stage areas in places of worship during worship services, provided that physical barriers or physical distancing practices are implemented between any person not required to wear a face covering by operation of this exception and any other person.
