Human rights principles must be at the core of our response to the pandemic. When it comes to mask-wearing policies, we need to ensure there is balance between the rights of people who cannot wear a mask on the basis of protected grounds in B.C.’s Human Rights Code (such as disability) and the public health risks, especially to people who are at risk of more severe illnesses.

This policy guidance from B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender details how mask-wearing requirements must accommodate people with disabilities or medical conditions that prevent them from using of non-medical masks.

More resources

• Poster: Exemptions to the mandatory mask order in British Columbia (Oct. 13, 2021; now archived)
• Press release: B.C. Human Rights Commissioner issues guidance on COVID-19 mask policies (Nov. 5, 2020)

See also:

• A human rights approach to proof of vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic (July 2021)
• Video: Message from Commissioner Govender on human rights during COVID-19 (March 2020)
• Commissioner Govender’s full policy statement on human rights during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020)
• COVID-19 frequently asked questions from BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner