Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry doesn’t foresee a time when non-medical masks would be mandated in any setting in BC.

That said, Henry believes there are situations where it is important to cover our droplets and transit is a classic example.

“I think we need to realize is that not everyone can safely wear a mask and I think we need to be respectful of that as well. But it is a way for us to keep our droplets in, to be respectful of others and transit is a place where you cannot always maintain that distance.”

“So with respect to masks, I don’t expect us to make them a requirement in any settings in BC. I know they are a requirement for flying on airplanes and that’s fine, that’s obviously an environment where it may be appropriate.”

“There are many other situations like getting our haircut, massage therapy, other places where we by the nature of the business need to be in close contact with someone and that’s where both of us wearing masks is important…. yes it is something we should get used to.”

Earlier this week, Canada’s chief public health officer officially recommended Canadians wear non-medical masks when maintaining a two-metre distance isn’t possible.

BC Health Minister Adrian Dix was on The Jeff Andreas Show. He says Dr Henry has been consistent with her messaging. “Non-surgical masks can be useful in protecting other people, but they’re not a replacement for more important things. The most important thing we can do aside from not going to work or going to school sick, is to stay physically distant. And sometimes, I’ve observed as I live my life in the world during this pandemic, that sometimes people wearing masks don’t observe physical distance because they think they are somehow protected from needing to do that. The most important thing is physical distance.”