The Ordinance permits officers from RVIPF and the Environmental Health Division to issue a fixed penalty to any person or establishment who breaches its orders.

Mandatory mask-wearing

In a press release today, February 1, 2021, the RVIPF said the Ordinance requires that persons continually wear a face mask when in public establishments, at gatherings and on public transportation. After leaving places of residence, persons are only exempted from wearing face masks when in open-air settings, driving alone or with members of the same household, in an enclosed office space, while consuming food or drink, or when directed to remove the mask by security for identification purposes or by an employee within a healthcare facility for obtaining services.

A face shield may be worn instead of a face mask by a child under twelve years, a person whose health conditions could worsen after wearing a face mask, an intellectual and developmental disabled person, those who assist lip-readers or a person who is speaking to an audience in person or during a television broadcast.

“Proprietors that allow customers or clients to enter establishments unmasked, unshielded, or otherwise neglectful in enforcing the provisions of the public health ordinance will be considered in breach of law and fined accordingly,” the RVIPF stated.

Proprietors that allow customers or clients to enter establishments unmasked, unshielded, or otherwise neglectful in enforcing the provisions of the public health ordinance will be considered in breach of law and fined accordingly, the RVIPF has stated.

Fines & penalties

It said the first breach of any provision within the ordinance by a person could result in a fixed penalty notice requiring the person to pay a fine of $100 and to attend such mandatory training as may be specified in the notice. A subsequent breach could lead to a fixed penalty notice requiring the person to pay a fine of $200.

“A first breach by an establishment could result in a fixed penalty notice requiring the owner or operators to pay a fine of $1,000, and a notice for temporary closure subject to mandatory training.”

It said, for a second breach, the fixed penalty notice will require the owner or operator to pay a fine of $2,000. This will result in the immediate closure of the establishment and the revoking of its Environmental Health Certificate.

“All fixed penalties imposed under this section must be paid to the Magistrate’s Court. If the fine is paid, no court proceedings shall be brought against the person served with the notice,” the RVIPF stated.