Wear masks to the beach, says Public Safety Canada

While Canadians get outside to enjoy the beach this summer, Public Safety Canada wants residents to enjoy said destinations while fully-masked.

In a tweet posted by the government department Monday, they remind Canadians to wear their sunscreen, as well as continue to practice physical distancing and wear their masks, even to the beach.

The Canadian government, according to their public health guidelines, recommends wearing a mask in shared spaces, which includes homes, backyards, workplaces, recreational settings, and public transportation.

In a comment given to True North, a Public Health Agency of Canada media relations official states "As increased rates of community transmission of COVID-19 continue in many areas across Canada, and as new variants of the COVID-19 virus are identified, it remains important that you wear a non-medical mask."

In May, Dr. Peter Jüni, the scientific director of Ontario's COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, said outdoor activities considered are low-risk, according to CTV.

"Science is telling us that safe outdoor recreation is important," said Jüni.

In addition to outdoor activities being considered low risk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States warns that wearing a mask during activities that may cause it to get wet will make it difficult to breath and prevent the mask from doing its job

"Do not wear a mask when doing activities that may get your mask wet, like swimming at the beach or pool. A wet mask can make it difficult to breathe and may not work as well when wet," states the CDC.

With increasing vaccination rates across Canada, many provinces are preparing to lift COVID-19 restrictions and public health orders like Saskatchewan, who announced that all COVID-19 restrictions would end on July 11, and in Alberta, where Premier Jason Kenny announced plans on lifting nearly all restrictions on Canada Day.