Non-medical masks are now mandatory in public indoor spaces in Toronto: Here are 30 retailers to shop if you still need one

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There is no evidence to support that wearing a face mask will protect you from COVID-19. You should still avoid touching your face, washing your hands frequently for 20 seconds using warm water and soap and practice social distancing.

On the recommendation of Toronto's medical officer of health Dr. Eileen de Villa, on Jun. 30, the city's council approved a temporary bylaw making masks and facial coverings mandatory in public indoor settings as the economy reopens and employees return to work during Stage 2.

"I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for all of us to remember that we are still in the middle of a pandemic," said De Villa.

The bylaw took effect today, July 7, and will be under monthly review until the first city council meeting of the Fall on Sept. 30.

As of Tuesday morning, the total number of lab-confirmed cases of the disease stands at nearly 36,000 with 2,689 deaths and 31,426 recoveries. On Monday, Ontario records no new COVID-19-related deaths for the first time in months.

“It's the right thing to do on balance to make sure that we try to get our numbers to continue to improve and that we also make sure that we stop the spread of the virus," Toronto mayor John Tory said moments before voting in favour of the bylaw.

The mayors of Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon also announced they intend to pass similar bylaws.

Since the emergence of new science revolving around the COVID-19 pandemic in April, Dr. Theresa Tam began encouraging Canadians to wear face masks to help cut down on transmission from those who are infected by the novel coronavirus but are asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) or presymptomatic.

"A non-medical mask can reduce the chance of your respiratory droplets coming into contact with others or landing on surfaces," Tam said. "The science is not certain but we need to do everything that we can and it seems a sensible thing to do."

Non-medical masks refer to any mask or cloth facial coverings that aren’t N95 respirators or surgical/procedurals.

Users are strongly advised to use non-surgical face masks with proper care:

  • Non-surgical/cloth face coverings should be washed routinely, depending on frequent use.

  • Sterilize and clean non-surgical/cloth face coverings through the washing machine.

  • Individuals should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth when removing their face covering and wash hands immediately after removing.

  • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

ALSO SEE: Here's where you can buy non-medical face masks for kids online


Looking to stock up on non-medical masks? Scroll and shop some of our favourites below.

Fiorucci

Fiorucci’s Angels Face Masks are made to fit close to the face for protection and are secured with soft and stretchy ear loops that provide all-day comfort. 100 per cent of profits from these masks will be donated to the International Red Cross.

Adidas

Made with soft, breathable fabric, Adidas’ Face Cover made to be comfortable, washable and reusable for practicing healthy habits every day.

Outdoor Voices

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As the number of COVID-19 cases increases, so does the need for self-protective measures. Face masks, worn in combination with practicing proper hygiene and social distancing, are key when entering situations where keeping your distance is not possible. That’s why we’re introducing OV Masks with 100% of the proceeds going to @DirectRelief. These non-medical-grade face masks can be worn to protect each other as well as free up medical-grade masks for those on the frontlines. Masks will begin shipping mid-May, but you can join the waitlist now.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Over the past few weeks we’ve also been working hard to give back to other organizations. Here a few ways we’ve taken action and helped our community:⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ We’ve donated material to @OrendaTribe and @BYellowtail, two indigenous upcycling designers, to make over 12,000 masks for the Pueblo community near Albuquerque and an indigenous eldercare facility in the Western agency.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ We’ve contributed hundreds of clothing items to @deliveringgood’s efforts to help families and individuals around the U.S. impacted by COVID-19, including those facing poverty, homelessness, and job loss.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ We’ve partnered with instructors from around the country to provide access to free fitness classes each week to keep our community #DoingThings safely at home and supporting our local studio partners.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ We’ve continued to offer all healthcare workers an ongoing 30% discount⁣, which can be activated by emailing hello@outdoorvoices.com. ⁣⁣ ⁣ Keep Doing Good Things and stay safe 💙

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Offering 5-pack of non-medical-grade reusable face masks ($25) made with Textured Compression, Outdoor Voices will be donating all of the proceeds to Masks for the People.

Lisa Says Gah

With every purchase of Lisa Says Gah knit mask ($24) purchase, the fashion brand will be donating $1 to the San Francisco Marin Food Bank. $1 provides 2 meals to ensure that our most vulnerable neighbours get the food they need!

Staud

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Navy Accents

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The contemporary designer label introduces non-medical grade masks sold in sets of three ($30) with a Buy One, Give One initiative. For every set sold, Staud will be donating a set of masks to the Downtown Women's Center in Los Angeles.

Anthropologie

The boho-chic retailer is the latest brand to offer a selection of reusable face masks to shoppers and is partnering with the nonprofit organization GetUsPPE. For every post shared on social media with the hashtag #SliceOfHappy, the brand will donate $5 towards providing healthcare workers with personal protective equipment.

Kendra Scott

The limited-edition Kendra Scott Face Mask Set ($30) includes two non-medical masks. For every purchase of these masks, the brand will donate one mask to a frontline worker.

Nordstrom

The Seattle-based retailer is proud to now offer face masks for sale on Nordstrom.com. With each customer purchase of a pack of six face masks ($24), Nordstrom will donate one mask to Good+ Foundation.

Gap

These masks are made with soft, lightweight cotton so your littles are comfortably covered. With every three-pack ($20) purchase, Gap Inc. is helping to get masks to those who need them most, including a donation of 50,000 reusable masks to Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada, which has many Clubhouses still open and operational as a safe place for kids and families in underserved communities.

Old Navy

Old Navy is now selling non-medical face masks for the whole family! They're made with three layers of 100% cotton poplin and are designed according to the CDC recommendations for non-medical-grade masks. Old Navy is proud to be donating 50,000 of these masks to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Additionally, Gap Inc. is supplying millions of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to frontline healthcare workers.

Mask packs ($15) include five reusable, personal-use, non-medical-grade cloth face masks for adults, in assorted colours, prints and patterns.

Everlane

Supporting Feeding America and their COVID-19 relief efforts, Everlane is donating reusable masks for every purchase of their mask three-pack ($40). Each non-medical mask is made from a double-layer knit fabric and features cotton-Lyrca earloops for stretch and comfort.

Athleta

Athleta designed its machine-washable 5 Pack Non-Medical Face Masks ($30) with three breathable fabric: lightweight outer layer and two inner layers of soft, breathable cotton. Doing their part to give back to the community, they’re also donating 100,000 non-medical masks to a major healthcare organization in support of our heroes on the front line.

New Republic

The label has pivoted its production, to manufacture and distribute cotton face mask. For every 3-pack mask ($12) sold, they will be donating a mask to local Los Angeles communities and local senior centers.

Good American

Khloe Kardashian’s Good American label is now producing non-medical denim masks ($7). For every mask purchase, one will be donated to a local organization in need.

Disney

Now available for pre-order, Disney is offering family-friendly reusable cloth face masks ($20) adorned with your beloved characters.

Disney is donating one million cloth face masks for children and families in underserved and vulnerable communities across the U.S. that will be distributed by MedShare. They will also donate all profits from the sales in the U.S. of Disney’s cloth face masks to Medshare, up to $1 million, now through Sep. 30.

Reformation

Reformation has partnered with The City of Los Angeles on LA Protects, an initiative to organize local manufacturers to make five million non-medical masks. You have the options to purchase a five-pack of non-medical mask ($38) for yourself or donate it to someone else who is in need through the retailer’s website.

Skims

Kim Kardashian’s clothing line is now offering non-medical, reusable and washable face masks ($8).

To support COVID-19 relief efforts and protect those particularly vulnerable to the virus, SKIMS is donating 10,000 Seamless Face Masks to the following charitable partners: Baby2Baby, Good+ Foundation, LA Food Bank, and National Domestic Workers Alliance.

Frank and Oak

Frank and Oak have commissioned in-house technical designers to sew masks from upcycled shirts. The set of two non-medical, 100% cotton masks is made reusable and adjustable at the chin to reduce gaps. All proceeds will go towards non-profit organization, Moisson Montréal, dedicated to redistributing food donations and basic commodities to organizations on the Island of Montreal that help those in need.

Fanatics

Since pausing the production of MLB player jerseys, Fanatics has been using the fabric to produce single-use face masks that will be donated to state governments and hospitals. According to the Sports retailer’s website, the masks were created to "address the shortage of critical supplies, during the current public health emergency."

Sports fans and customers can also shop 100 per cent cotton masks (starting at $15) on the site to continue repping their favourite teams.

abacaxi

The New York City-based label has created non-medical cotton face masks ($30) that are available in a variety of prints and quantities. Masks include an inside pocket opening for a filter to be placed in-between the two layers of fabric, offering you more protection. (Filters are not included and you should use a new one with every use).

Alice and Olivia

Alice and Olivia have introduced the Stacefact Protective Face Mask ($15). For every mask sold, they will be donating one to communities in need.

MOTHER

The denim authority brand is partnering with the city of LA to produce non-medical masks for the workers in essential sectors. For every mask set ($20) sold through Apr 30, $10 will be contributed to No Kid Hungry.

Spencer Badu

The Canadian label has launched limited-edition face masks ($25) with a built-in, removable 3M system for extra protection. For every purchase made of the Limited Edition Spencer Badu Face Mask, they will be giving away another in support of #NGH1000Masks Challenge and a donation to Toronto’s Humber River Hospital.

Rails

Halting garment production, the L.A-based brands have shifted their efforts to produce non-medical masks from 100 per cent cotton for personal use and protection.

Each pack ($25) contains 5 reusable masks made from assorted custom RAILS fabrications and should be washed before first use. For every mask purchase, Rails will donate a pack to essential workers and businesses in our local communities.

Michael Stars

Michael Stars mask pack ($32) offers two washable & reusable masks with stretch elastic ear straps in both grey & black. The brand is also working to produce and distribute masks total to LA Protects and local health clinics and organizations who are in need.

Los Angeles Apparel

Los Angeles Apparel’s 3-Pack FACEMASK ($43) is made of 100 per cent cotton and features an adjustable nose that you can form to the contours of your face. Featuring two straps, it can be worn around the head and neck that can be tied and tightened to preferred fit. All purchases of the 3-Pack FACEMASK help fund our ability to donate masks to other essential services while providing living wages

Encircled

To ease the strain on medical masks, Encircled is making non-medical masks for the community. You can buy a five-pack, or donate a five-pack, or both. All donations will go to Toronto’s Michael Garron Hospital #PPEDrive.

Currently sold out but now available for pre-order.

Sanctuary

Sanctuary’s limited-edition Essential Lifestyle Fashion Masks is designed to create a barrier to protect you from the environment around you, while also making you feel confident. This unisex PPE mask comes in an assortment of our stylish signature prints. Each purchase of a five-pack ($26), we will provide masks to organizations in need.

Collina Strada

In support of @masks4medicine New York-based designer, Collina Strada, continues to make 100 per cent cotton to the organization and will be giving away a free mask with each purchase on the label’s website.

PAIGE

The denim label has joined forces with the LA Protects and Mayor Eric Garcetti to produce non-medical face masks in their LA-based manufacturing facilities. For every four-pack of masks sold ($29), PAIGE will donate a pack to be distributed to those on the frontlines.

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