Lethbridge citizens gathered on Mayor Magrath Drive South on Sept. 15, 2020 to protest against the Temporary Mandatory Face Covering bylaw

On Aug. 24, Lethbridge City Council passed Bylaw 6239 referred to as the Temporary Mandatory Face Covering Bylaw to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

This bylaw requires Lethbridge citizens to wear a medical or non-medical mask or face covering that fully covers their nose, mouth and chin at all times while inside public places and pubic vehicles where a physical distance of two metres is not possible to achieve. This bylaw was created as a way to educate the public on how to stop the spread of the virus, but it is enforceable and if not followed could lead to a fine of $100.

Since coming into effect, citizens of Lethbridge have become divided. Some members of the community are against the bylaw for various reasons and some consider it to be something city council is doing to keep them safe.

“I do believe that helps keep people safe, I live in a city that I trust that they are going to try to keep us safe,” said Amanda Crook, Hemel House Child Care Services Coordinator Program Administrator, when asked about the bylaw.

It has been almost a month since the bylaw was passed and different businesses and activities across the city have been able to resume. People are going back to the mall, to grocery stores, they are eating at restaurants, attending museums and other public places because they feel safe now that others are using face coverings. “I’m happy to go to a store and see a lot of people wearing masks because I feel safer.” Crook added.

But not everyone feels this way. Some consider this bylaw to be an infringement on their rights. In fact, there have been a few organized protests against this bylaw.

One of them happened at city hall on Sep. 8, when a large group of unmasked citizens entered council chambers to protest the bylaw as city council was about to begin their regular meeting. Another protest was held on Sep. 15 at Mayor Magrath Drive South, in front of Henderson Lake Park, where a group of citizens gathered with signs representing their feeling of oppression and overreach from the municipal government.

The Temporary Mandatory Face Covering bylaw will be in effect until Dec. 31, 2020 unless otherwise extended by city council.

*A previous version of this article identified a source as an employee of The Co-operators. This quote is a reflection of their personal views, and not of The Co-operators organization.