Quebec announces legislative measures on wearing masks or face coverings in public places

As recommended by Auto Prévention, unless the auto repair shop is open to clients, mechanics keeping a minimum distance of 2 metres from their colleagues are not required to wear a mask. A priori, the shop is a private space (not open to clients), therefore nothing changes; the guidelines remain the same as before.

• Mechanics, as well as other employees must wear a medical-grade procedural mask and eye protection if they need to be less than 2 metres from another person, whether in the shop or outside.
• There is a requirement to wear a procedural mask and safety goggles (or a procedural mask and a face shield) when moving through parts of the building where clients are present (public space) and where a distance of 2 metres cannot be maintained, in the absence of a physical barrier (plexiglass).
• The face shield can replace the safety goggles, but not the procedural mask

Exceptionally, if wearing the mask-goggles or mask-face shield combination creates a safety risk (for example forming too much condensation), the mask can be removed and the face shield by itself is acceptable.

Exceptionally, based on a doctor’s recommendation for workers whose state of health means the procedural mask would be harmful to their health (chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, for example), the face shield can be worn by itself, without the mask.

Essentially, what’s changing for employers:

Require all clients who come inside or in a partially covered space owned by the company to wear a mask or face covering that covers their nose and mouth at all times, starting July 18, 2020. The company is responsible for enforcing this government requirement for the general population or it could be subject to fines.

For more information, read page 5 of the document on COVID-19 prevention measures for auto repair shops: www.inspq.qc.ca/sites/default/files/covid/2945-garages-mecanique-covid19.pdf