You're about to hear more encouragement to wear a mask in Waterloo region

Masks aren't mandatory in Waterloo region, but new message campaigns encouragemore people to wear face coverings while out.

On Friday, the region launched a social media campaign called #facemaskfriday. The idea is "an effort to normalize mask wearing as part of our everyday new reality," regional Chair Karen Redman said.

Signs have also gone up on Grand River Transit with a slogan, "let's protect each other." The signs ask riders to wear a mask or face covering, spread out to keep a physical distance of at least two metres from others, use a fare card instead of cash and wash or sanitize hands when passengers reach their destination.

It also talks about measures GRT is putting in place to keep operators and riders safe, including driver barriers, automatically opening LRT doors and the application of antimicrobial solution to all vehicles.

Ongoing conversation:mandatory masks

Dr. Julie Emili, the acting associate medical officer of health for the Region of Waterloo, saysofficials are aware of the ongoing discussions about masks. Neighbouring health unit Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health has made it mandatory for people without health exemptionsto wear masks or face coverings in many businesses.

"We're engaging people in that discussion and we're engaging the business community about: how can we support them to make this the new normal," Emili said.

Redman said there is nothing stopping businesses in Waterloo region from asking customers and patrons to wear masks and they're welcome to put up signs to that effect. The region has been following guidance from the province and she says many small and medium sized businesses are being compliant with the province's guidelines as they reopen.

"We're really hoping that we can appeal to the community-minded part of everybody's nature to say you need to do this," Redman said.

'Continue the measures'

At a regional council committee meeting earlier last week, North Dumfries Mayor Sue Foxton said people feel a "false sense of security" about COVID-19 because Waterloo region has seen a drop in case growth. Some people are using that as an excuse not to wear masks.

Emili says Waterloo region's numbers are low because people have followed public health's guidelines.

• DATA: COVID-19 in Waterloo region

"To keep numbers down, it's just not one thing [alone]. It's the action we do in public health to get people who are positive and follow them up quickly and follow their contacts up quickly. It's the testing push that's out in the community to identify people as quickly as possible. It's all the public health measures we've been stressing over the past several months," she said.

"The actions we take today determine where we are next week and the week after," she added.

"We want to reassure people that we are in a good situation and that's why we've reopened. But at the same time, if we want to stay in that situation, we have to continue the measures that we've recommended."