Parliamentary mask mandate extended to June 23

A memo released March 10 said rules around mandatory masks in the parliamentary precinct will continue until at least June 23. The mask mandate in Ontario ends March 21

MPs will still have to wear masks while they return to Parliament on March 21, despite Ontario dropping its COVID-19 mask mandate in most locations on the same day.

According to a memo from the Board of Internal Economy (BOIE) issued Thursday morning, masks will remain mandatory in the parliamentary precinct until at least June 23.

A BOIE spokesperson says the decision on the rules was made last week.

The BOIE is the governing body for the House of Commons, making decisions and providing direction on financial and administrative matters for the parliament buildings. The board is chaired by the speaker, and currently includes four Liberal MPs, two Conservatives and one member each from the NDP and Bloc Quebecois.

The masking rules remain in place for all public settings and workspaces where maintaining two metres of physical distancing is not possible. MPs can remove their masks when they are sitting in the Chamber or committee rooms, but it is strongly recommended they keep their mask on, according to the memo.

Other rules are beginning to ease around the parliamentary precinct. In the coming months, visitors will be allowed to return.

Starting on the week of April 25, the public gallery in the Chambers will reopen and public access to committee meetings will resume. Then on the week of May 16, guided tours and general public access will begin again.

The memo says this reopening will begin in a “progressive manner” to allow time to stabilize services and ensure there are adequate resources to implement COVID-19 prevention measures.