Prince George Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Corrigall welcomed Thursday provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry's order making masks mandatory in all public and retail spaces.
"This is exactly what we've been waiting for, to make it mandatory, to enforce that message and ensure that people know that and this is a positive step forward in our fight against COVID-19," he said.
The order will apply to both customers and staff, except for customers eating or drinking in a restaurant. Workers at businesses should be wearing masks in any public or common areas, like elevators, hallways, Henry said.
Corrigall said the measure will help contain the spread of the virus and also protects merchants from having "one of those challenging conversations, where somebody may not want to wear a mask."
"It is now mandated, it is now required. There are face shields if you can't wear a mask - if you've got a medical exemption, then a face shield covers that portion, so these are all positive steps forward."
He said the step gives store managers and staff the authority to refuse service to someone who is being challenging on the matter.
Corrigall urged retailers to comply with the order rather than serve someone who is not wearing a mask or face shield.
"In the long run, it's to their benefit," he said. "The fast that this (the pandemic) gets addressed, the faster things return to normal, the faster people can be entering their stores in large numbers."
Henry asked - but did not order - people to refrain from non-essential travel.
Corrigall said he doubt that will have much of an effect on people from surrounding communities coming into Prince George to shop.
He said they may have to come into Prince George to purchase essential items they can't get at home.
"If there's a mask mandate in place, people are respectful of the mask mandate, they're washing their hands, they're being respectful of others, there shouldn't be a problem with somebody from Vanderhoof or Fort St. James or McBride coming to Prince George to do their shopping," he said.
