Businesses adjusting to reduced mask wearing indoors on P.E.I. - Action News
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PEI

Businesses adjusting to reduced mask wearing indoors on P.E.I.

Businesses are still working around face mask measures on P.E.I. after the province dropped mandatory mask requirements on Friday. They are now recommended to be worn by people who have not gotten their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Wearing a mask indoors was changed from mandatory to recommended on Friday

Mary Beth Campbell says some customers ask when entering to see if they need to wear a mask while others just put one on when they see staff wearing them. (Jessica Doria-Brown/CBC)

Some local businesseson P.E.I. say the province's decision to suddenly drop themask requirements in indoor spaces caught them off guard.

Premier Dennis King made the announcement during a COVID-19 briefing last Friday, saying provincial milestones were taking place sooner than they had originally planned.

The change came into effect at noon that day, meaning the first some business owners heard about it was when customers began removing masks in their stores.

"I heard it from a few people walking into the store without masks, and they were celebrating, and it definitely threw me off, because I hadn't heard it yet," said Mary Beth Campbell ofLuxury Market Consignment Boutiquein Charlottetown.

Campbell says she first found out the mandatory mask requirement had been eased when customers came in without masks. (Jessica Doria-Brown/CBC)

People who work with the public are still advised to wear a mask indoors.

Campbell said so far it has been a mix of customers choosing to wear a mask and those who don't.

"Alot of times when they see us wearing them they actually do put them on which is great," Campbell said."But if the store is not really busy and they are keeping away from everyone, it doesn't seem to be a huge issue."

She said she knows it is uncomfortable to wear a mask but thinks it would have been easier to keep themandate in place until the province had fully opened up to the rest of Canada so the decision wouldn't rest onbusinesses.

Other businesses also would have preferred more notice so that stores and staff could come up with a plan around what they'd ask of their own staff and customers, when it comes to masks.

Some locations on P.E.I. will still require people to wear a mask when indoors, like health-care settings. (Jessica Doria-Brown/CBC)

"If you're telling us Friday, could we not have waited until Monday?" said Lori Cheveriewith Bookmark Charlottetown.

"Give us some time to absorb it especially people who are going to be affected by this the most. That would have been kinder to us I think."

Some places still require masks

Masks are still required indoors in certain settings, like health-care facilities and the airport.

Doug Newson, CEO of Charlottetown Airport, said in a written statement on Mondaythat they will"continue to evaluate policies in the coming days and weeks, and make adjustments as we see fit."

He said it can be hard to social distance in airports especially as passenger movements start to increase.

"Transport Canada still requires passengers to wear masks during screening, boarding, on the aircraft, and disembarking," Newson said.

To be consistent with the federal measures, they will continue to require masks inside at the airport but will re-evaluate as things move forward.

Charlottetown Airport Authority CEO Doug Newson says masks will still be required inside the airport but they will continue to assess the situation. (Tony Davis/CBC)

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrisonsaid people should still wear masks until they are fully vaccinated.

She said masks arejust one tool in a basket of measures in defence against COVID, includingphysical distancing, handwashing, and restrictions at provincial borders to keep COVID-19 out.

It's now up to the consumer to decide for themselves for most day-to-day shopping and some businesses are pleased to be able to resume face-to-face interactions.

"I was very excited," said Crystal Hardy, manager at RiverviewCountry Market in Charlottetown. "Nice to be able to see everybody'sfaces smiling. Just seeing everybody out and knowing who you are talking to again."

Some staff and customers will chose to continue wearing a mask while in public indoors. (Jessica Doria-Brown/CBC)

Hardy said she feels Morrison is doing a wonderful job and is confident they will let people know if the situation changes and masks become mandatory once again.

Morrison said the decision was made based on current epidemiology and will continue to be evaluated if or when the situation changes.

More from CBC P.E.I.

With files from Jessica Doria-Brown