Is it safe to wear face masks while exercising? Experts weigh in The report notes that several of the initial criteria for the mask bylaw have not been met.One of those criteria was an improvement in the state of the COVID-19 situation, not only locally but also provincially and globally.“COVID-19 remains a significant risk locally and provincially,” the report notes. “A third wave has emerged provincially and locally and is being driven by variants of concern.”Other criteria include advice from public health officials regarding the wearing of face coverings or change in evidence on the wearing of masks as well as the availability of an effective vaccine or treatment for COVID-19.