At a special meeting of council on December 2nd, The Sylvan Lake Town council turned down a bylaw to make face coverings mandatory.

Council defeated a motion to grant First Reading to a Face Coverings Bylaw. The  bylaw would mandate face coverings in Town/municipal owned and operated facilities.

The motion was defeated in a four to three vote.

Council also defeated a motion to grant First Reading to a Face Coverings Bylaw, a bylaw to also allow for private local businesses with their own face covering requirements, to register and receive bylaw enforcement through Municipal Enforcement Officers.

As with many communities around Central Alberta this has become a heated issue. Ray Demers, a longtime resident of Sylvan Lake can't understand why it wouldn't be passed. "Red Deer, Blackfalds and the big cities all have these bylaws, why don't we do it here?"

Meanwhile Kelli Heisman was happy to hear the bylaw was squashed. "I think people should be able to choose whether a mask should be worn or not. I will wear mine when I'm shopping but not everywhere I go in public."

The Town of Sylvan Lake is still under an enhanced status COVID-19 classification.

As of November 24th, the following regulations are still in place.

  • No indoor social gatherings in any setting
  • Outdoor gatherings permit a maximum of 10 attendees
  • Wedding and funeral services permit a mamimum of 10 attendees; no receptions permitted
  • No festivals or events
  • Students grades 7 through 12 will participate in at-home learning November 30 - January 11
  • Working from home should be considered, where possible
  • Places of workship at 1/3 normal attendance with mandatory masks
  • Restricted access to some businesses starting November 27