Sarnia residents will not have to mask up when in public, at least for now.
Mayor Mike Bradley was hoping to have a special meeting of city council Wednesday to present a motion making masks mandatory in indoor public spaces.
Speaking to Blackburn News on Monday, Bradley said he only had the support of two councilors for the bylaw, and required the backing of five in order to have a vote. The next regular city council meeting isn't until September 14.
"The entire purpose of trying to bring about a special council meeting to move forward on mandatory masking in confined spaces was all based on the premise that Stage 3 is coming, which it is now, and that we should be fully prepared," said Bradley.
"We as a community need to mitigate and decrease the number of positive COVID cases when the entire community opens up with a few exceptions."
Bradley said he's disappointed by the lack of support.
"I believe the issue will not go away. I believe eventually the Medical Officer of Health will be forced to bring about mandatory masking when almost 80 per cent of Ontario cities are now doing that to protect their public health."
The Sarnia mayor presented a similar motion to Lambton County Council at its last meeting on July 8.
Councillors rejected the move, opting instead to encourage those who are capable of doing so to wear a mask in indoor public facilities when physical social distancing is not possible.
In London-Middlesex as of Saturday, masks are required in all public indoor places.
