'Business as usual' for P.E.I. as province marks Day 1 of mandatory masks

Day oneof mandatory indoor mask-wearing appears to have gone smoothly.

"It is absolutely beautiful. Everybody comes in all geared up with their masks," said Malini Hardath, assistant manager of the Discounters store in Charlottetown,

As of Friday, masks are required in all indoor public places, including stores and restaurants. Only children under the age of two and those with medical issues are exempt.

No one has complained about the new rule, said Hardath, andpretty much everyone seems to be complying. The store offers free disposable masks available to anyone who doesn't have one.

"Everybody cares about their family members and their coworkers, so I don't believe there would be an issue at all," she said.

Staff won't be enforcing the new public health rulethough, she said.

"We don't question why you're not wearing a mask because we can't see their abilities or disabilities and we can't decide whether they should be wearing one or not," said Hardath.

Shoppers CBC News spoke with Friday said wearing a mask is not a big deal.

"It's just an extra layer of protection to keep everybody safe and I have no problem with it at all,"said Laura Farrell, adding that she and her husband have been wearing masks for several months every time they go to any stores.

"For us, it's no big deal today.It's just business as usual."

"It's a littlehot inside of it but once you get outside to your vehicle, you can take it off," said Shirley LeClair. "It's better to be safe, for sure."

At Taste of India, diners are forewarned by signs on the door, and the restaurant also posted the new rule on social media. Diners must wear a mask when they're not eating or drinking.

"We've been really fortunate where we have amazing customers and they abide by our rules, andthey have in the past as well when it comes to being socially distanced," said assistant manager Jessica Xu.

Staff have been wearing masks for a while, and most guests have been too, she said. "It's like second nature."

The new rule is mandatory at the provincial legislature too.

The chief public health office requires members to wear masks when they're arriving at or leaving their seat, speaking to pagesor other instances when they're not able to maintain a two-metre distance.

MLAs are allowed to remove their mask when they're seated, or when they rise to speak in the house.

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