OLDS — Town council voted today (Nov. 25) to table a proposed bylaw that would have made masks mandatory in all buildings owned or leased by the town as well as in “public indoor spaces” or “public vehicles.”
Several councillors said they’d like to wait and see what effect new provincial rules to curb the COVID-19 pandemic have before deciding whether to bring the bylaw back for further consideration.
Some councillors suggested the town may know more about whether there’s a need for such a bylaw in about three weeks, after the province’s new restrictions have had a chance to work.
The bylaw first came up for consideration during the Nov. 23 council meeting. It was given first reading, just to get consideration underway.
However, further discussion was postponed to Wednesday because Town of Olds Mayor Michael Muzychka said so many people wanted to have input that they couldn't all come into the council chambers. So it came up during Wednesday's special meeting, held via Zoom.
During the special meeting, council heard verbally from two people in favour of the proposed bylaw and a couple of people who were against making masks mandatory in the community.
Mayor Michael Muzychka said councillors also received about 200 emails on the matter from citizens for and against the bylaw.
The motion to table further consideration of the bylaw contained no date by which is was to be brought back for consideration.
