CALGARY — Now that masks are no longer mandated by the Alberta government, and COVID-19 restrictions are easing across the country, a new list is outlining which Canadian businesses still require face coverings for customers and staff.
The Safer Shopping Network is a crowd-sourced, searchable list of businesses that outlines what their current policies are. While the list is open to more than just Alberta, there are a select number of businesses that are listed on the site.
It’s something Dr. Victor Leung — an infectious diseases physician based in Vancouver — is a big fan of.
“Now that the direction has changed and the focus is on personal responsibility, then having people take this responsibility and do so in a professional way, I think it’s a good thing,” he told 660 NEWS’ sister station NEWS 1130.
RELATED:
- Calgary mask bylaw repealed, some policies remain for public facilities
- ‘Free of the mask’: Businesses taking cautious approach to Alberta’s full reopening
- Experts recommend wearing a mask despite Alberta’s reopening
On Monday, Calgary City Council officially voted to repeal the mask bylaw — becoming the final location in Alberta to get rid of mandatory masking.
While the mask bylaw will no longer be in place for businesses across Calgary, masks will still be mandated at places like public libraries and city-operated recreation facilities. Masks are also required on public transit and in AHS facilities as part of remaining provincial rules.
Some businesses will continue to ask customers to don masks, with cases and variants still a concern, despite restrictions easing. And Leung notes they can do so.
“So setting up this Safe Shopping Network allows businesses to use this as a form of promotion, both for their business and for doing the community a good service. We believe it’s a civic responsibility to still protect others in the community who haven’t had a chance to get vaccinated,” he told NEWS 1130.
The Safe Shopping Network lists businesses by their type, name, city, province, and whether masks are required for staff and customers. It also shows whether masks are required in all of a business’ locations.
– With files from Tom Ross and Josh Ritchie
