Photos of Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer made rounds on social media on Tuesday, as he was seen without a mask on at the Toronto Pearson Airport. This, amidst a pandemic with mandatory rules of face covering.
According to the airport guidelines posted on its website, “to provide a safe airport environment for all, passengers will also be expected to observe guides on masks/face coverings when in the terminal.” The guidelines were effective since June 1 as the travel and transportation industries are just some of those that got hit by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, which is why strict measures had to be imposed.
Pearson Airport’s requirements say that persons must “wear a mask or face covering in public spaces except when eating or drinking.”
The only exceptions to these are those who are two years old and below, and people who have difficulty in breathing.
Several photos that circulated online pictured Scheer speaking to Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister and others. All of them are seated by the departure area, not wearing any face coverings.
Scheer’s camp defended to different members of the media via e-mail that the Conservative leader “wore a face mask while travelling to Ottawa today.” It noted that he made a phone call that was why he had to remove it and that the “picture must have been taken before he put it back on.”
Based on the photos though, Scheer did not appear to be in a phone call.
On the other hand, Pallister told CBC news that it was “an error” on his part.
“I lifted my mask to join some friends in conversation at the Toronto airport this afternoon,” he admitted, saying that it will not happen again.