Mayor emphasizes mask use as COVID-19 cases rise in Regina

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Mayor Michael Fougere is reminding people in the city to wear masks and to keep their distance out in public as cases rise in the city.

Regina currently has 24 active cases after that number was hovering in the low single digits for some time. Another point of worry is the potential for public transmission following a warning from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).

Those warnings include someone with COVID-19 taking a city bus which resulted in 11 bus drivers potentially coming into contact with the infected person. According to ATU 588, the union representing Regina transit workers, all bus drivers were cleared for work after self-monitoring.

Speaking on Tuesday, Fougere said mask use is mandatory on buses, although those who are unable or just unwilling to wear a mask are still permitted on buses in Regina.

Even with rising cases Fougere said the city is not considering mandatory masks in Regina, since such a motion was shot down by city council. When asked what would have to happen for the city to bring in mandatory mask bylaws Fougere said he would defer to the SHA for that call.

“Not being a medical doctor, I’m not going to suggest what that trip line would be,” said Fougere, though he said the current trend of new infections is concerning.

“We’re into the fall season and we’re into what could be the second wave of this happening in other parts of Canada.”

Fougere reminded people to keep an eye on their health, to stay home if they think they’re sick and to wash their hands and wear a mask.

alsalloum@postmedia.com