Regina Mayor Michael Fougere is reiterating to citizens the importance of wearing a mask when out in public.

His concerns stem from the rising number of COVID-19 cases not only locally, but in the province and other parts of the country.

“It has been said many times, but we’re into the fall season and we’re into what could be the second wave of this happening in other parts of Canada,” said Fougere. “B.C. and Alberta have been pretty hard along with Quebec and Ontario.”

One example Fougere gave on Tuesday morning regarding the latest increase in new cases involves one person in the city affecting multiple transit workers.

He explained how 11 bus drivers in Regina are now self-monitoring for symptoms after being in contact with a rider who tested positive for COVID-19. The city said the drivers called HealthLine 811 after finding out about the passenger’s test result.

Fougere said it’s a reminder for people to be careful and to stay home if they don’t feel well. Transit workers are taking extra precautions to make sure buses are safe for the public including mandatory masks on buses, curtains for drivers, multiple cleanings and foggings inside the buses after they are done for the day.

The mayor mentioned that city administration is in conversations with health officials to learn about the criteria of when masks would be mandatory within the municipality.

Mandatory mask usage in Regina is not being considered by city council at this time, however he encourages people to follow recommendations from public health.

“We’re following the science with what the chief medical health officer has to say,” explained Fougere. “If he indicates [mandatory masks] are the case, then we would of course follow that. But it’s not what is being said now.”