Masking Requirements for Ottawa’s Condominiums as of August 26, 2021

As some of you may know, as of August 26, 2021, Ottawa’s Temporary Mandatory Mask By-Law is set to expire. What does this mean for Ottawa’s condominiums?

While the City of Ottawa has decided not to extend the Temporary Mandatory Mask By-Law, that does not mean masks are no longer required or enforced. In fact, the province-wide masking regulations continue to be in effect after August 26, 2021

This means that, subject to a limited number of exceptions (i.e., young children, health reasons, etc.), masks are still required (in indoor common areas) whenever two-meter distancing cannot be maintained (e.g., when sharing an elevator). So, although the province’s regulation is not quite so stringent as the City of Ottawa’s by-law (which required masks to be worn at all times in indoor common areas), masks will still be mandatory “much of the time” in indoor common areas.

Moreover, since two-meter distancing may in many cases be “difficult to guarantee”, many condominiums may well conclude that it makes sense to simply maintain full-time mask wearing (for their indoor common areas). In many cases, this may be the best way to maintain confidence about the safety of the indoor common areas. As we mentioned in our previous blog post on masking requirements, condominium corporations can still have a policy or Rule requiring masks to be worn at all times while in enclosed common areas. We also continue to encourage condominiums to post signage that makes the mask wearing requirements clear for residents and visitors.  

Stay safe and stay tuned to Condo Law News to keep up to date on the latest developments on wearing masks in Ottawa!