COVID-19 Enforcement

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The City of Cambridge is under an Emergency Stay at Home Order following the Province's second declaration of emergency. See the full list of restrictions on the Ontario website.

Emergency regulations have been put in place both provincially and municipally to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This includes regulations for physical distancing, lowered gathering limits, and limited access at public places.

Face masks and coverings

Regional Council passed bylaws that require mask wearing on transit and in enclosed public places as of July 13. The bylaws remain in effect up to May 31, 2021, barring any repeals or further extensions by Regional Council.

These bylaws make it mandatory for residents to wear face coverings in enclosed public places such as trains and buses, shopping malls and retail shops and more. As of September 28, enclosed places include taxis, ride shares and common areas of apartments and condos, where physical distancing can be a challenge.

Visit the Region of Waterloo's website for the most up-to-date information on these bylaws.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is required to wear a face covering under this bylaw?

Any customer, patron, employee or visitor, who enters an enclosed public place must wear a mask except for those who are exempt.

Who is NOT required to wear a face covering?

The bylaws exempt:

Children under the age of five.
Those who are unable to wear a face covering as a result of a medical condition or a disability. Some disabilities are invisible so we ask people to respect that. The bylaw does not require people to provide proof to support an exemption.
A person engaged in a sport or other strenuous physical activity.
A person who is assisting or accommodating someone who has a hearing loss or a hearing disability.
A person who is consuming food/drink as part of a religious activity within a place of worship.

Does the bylaw require business owners to turn away people who are not wearing masks?

No. There is no requirement under the bylaw for businesses to refuse entry to those not wearing face coverings. Businesses may choose to have their own policies that require masks.

Can businesses require proof of exemption?

No. The bylaw does not require people to provide proof to support an exemption.

Where am I required to wear a face covering?

Face coverings are required in the following locations:

Buses, bus shelters, ION trains and ION platforms
Stores and shopping malls
Indoor areas of restaurants and bars, with the exception of patrons consuming food/drink
Professional services such as counselling, personal care, funeral homes, repair and rental services
Lobby areas of commercial buildings
Hotels and motels, with the exception of rented rooms
Laundromats
Indoor areas of fitness centres, gyms and recreational and sports facilities
Indoor concert venues, theatres and cinemas
Arcades and other indoor amusement facilities
Museums, galleries, historic sites, etc.
Places of worship
Municipal buildings

For more detail on exceptions, please consult the actual bylaws.

Where are face coverings NOT required?

The bylaws do not cover:

Federal or provincial buildings
Colleges, universities or schools
Hospitals or health facilities
Offices of regulated health professionals
Employee-only areas of businesses and other buildings
Outdoor areas in streets, parks, sports facilities and patios
Child care facilities and day camps
Care facilities for the elderly and people with disabilities

Are masks required at public pools?

No. Masks are not required to be worn on the pool deck and cannot be worn when you are swimming. Masks can pose a safety risk if covering your mouth and nose while wet.

How can establishments notify customers, patrons, employees or visitors about the bylaw?

Business owners/operators are responsible for posting clearly visible bylaw signage at all entrances. Decals and posters can be picked up at local city halls and township administrative offices or from local Chambers of Commerce.

Businesses can also print their own signs and bylaw reminder cards to give to patrons.

Who is providing the face coverings?

Residents must supply their own face covering. Some business owners/operators will supply masks but they are not required to do so.

Will the face covering bylaw be enforced?

Bylaw Enforcement continues to take an education-first approach, asking people to comply with the bylaw and educating them on the importance of protecting each other. We are appealing to residents’ goodwill and willingness to cooperate for the greater good.

Do I still need to stay at least 2 metres (6 feet) away from people if wearing a face covering?

This is ideal and should be practiced. Wearing a face covering is an important measure, especially when physical distancing is not possible. Continue to practice other health measures such as washing your hands frequently.

Do I have to show proof that I am exempt from the bylaw?

No proof is required to show you are exempt from wearing a face covering. The expectation is that individuals who self-identify as exempt should be allowed into an enclosed public place.

How do I report someone for not wearing a face covering?

It’s important to keep in mind that Regional bylaw enforcement will not be able to respond to all calls and will be focusing on education and compliance rather than enforcement. Business owners/operators can contact Region of Waterloo Bylaw Enforcement if non-compliance is significant and ongoing and additional educational resources and support are needed. Please complete a bylaw feedback form or call the Region of Waterloo Contact Centre at 519-575-4400.

Residents wishing to report non-compliance can also fill out the bylaw feedback form, call the Region of Waterloo at 519-575-4400 or the City of Cambridge bylaw line at 519-623-134- x7907.

Guidelines for parks, trails and facilities

Masks are required where park and trail users cannot maintain physical distancing of 2m or greater. Please ensure hands are washed or sanitized before and after use.

Facilities and Centers

All indoor recreation facilities, including arenas, older adult centres, and the Centre for the Arts are now closed as of Dec 24/20

Parks and Amenities

In alignment with the Emergency Order some restrictions are in place for parks and trails:

Disc Golf

Practice physical distancing of a minimum of 2 m except for when playing with members of the same household. Please be sure not to share your discs.

Maple Grove Dog Park

Physical distancing of a minimum of 2 m is required at all times. A maximum of 10 users is permitted at a time, however no gathering of greater than 5 people is permitted, and face masks are required when distancing of 2m cannot be kept. Please note that touch surfaces such as gate latches, etc. are not sanitized. It is recommended that users bring their own personal hand sanitizer for their use.

Outdoor Rinks

Outdoor rinks will operate once longer term cold weather sets in. Locations can be found here. Please note that there is no hockey or shinny permitted per current Provincial requirements! Only recreational skating is permitted. Users must keep physical distancing of 2 m and not share any equipment. Mask are required when distancing cannot be kept. Limit rink use to under one hour at a time, to allow others time and access to the rink.

Picnic Shelters

All picnic shelters are available for individual or family use on a first come first serve basis only; no reservations are being taken at this time. Shelters are limited to 5 users at any one time.

Please note these and all amenities are not sanitized, and it is recommended that users bring their own personal hand sanitizer for their use.

Playgrounds

All city playgrounds remain open to the public. With more than 70 playgrounds throughout the city, individual monitoring and equipment sanitizing throughout the day is not possible. Residents are reminded that all playground activity is at the risk of the user and children must be monitored closely by parents.

Masks are recommended, and playground user numbers are a max of 5 users; maintaining 2 m physical distancing on the equipment. Please ensure hands are washed or sanitized before and after playground use.

Trails

Natural trails are open for recreational use. Please note that washrooms are not available and these trails are not maintained during the winter. Please use them with caution! Physical distancing of 2 m is required at all times (except for members of the same household) of up to 5 people.

General Rules

Maintain physical distancing (at least 2 m, except for members of the same household)
Outdoor gathering is limited to a maximum of 5 people in an area at all times with physical distancing of 2 m
Keep your dog on a leash at all times
Leave if the park, playground or trail area gets too crowded
Avoid crowding parking lots by only using parks or trails that you can walk to
Walk your Block!
Play Local!
It is recommended that users bring their own personal hand sanitizer for their use

What's allowed

Use of the disc golf at Soper Park, with proper distancing of 2 m at all times
Activities such as playing catch, throwing a Frisbee, flying a kite, making a snowman or snow angel
Individual activities including speed walking, jogging, or use of fitness stations
Outdoor recreational skating
Park benches or shelters in parks areas are available for use provided that users maintain a physical distance of at least 2 m.
Walk the trails, park pathways while maintaining physical distance

What not to do

Engage in any outdoor group activities with more than 5 people (be sure to maintain physical distancing with people outside of your household).
Snowmobile, use any ATV, or operate any motorized vehicle on any parkland or trail
Skate or play on any frozen creek, river, pond or stormwater pond. These areas are not monitored or checked for ice depths and they can be very unstable and are not safe for use!

Contacts

Measures under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act during COVID-19 are enforced by multiple areas.

See the chart below for who to contact with questions or concerns.

Who to contact
Contact	Contact for:	How to contact
Region of Waterloo	Business-related concerns or questions; mask non-compliance	(519) 575-4400
City of Cambridge	Report events & gatherings of more than 5 people (outdoors) or with members outside immediate household (indoors)	(519) 623-1340, ext. 7907 bylaw@cambridge.ca
Province of Ontario	Report price gouging	Report online