Masks will remain mandatory in Niagara for the next six months.
Regional Council has decided to extend the bylaw until April 1st, 2021.
CAO Ron Tripp says April marks the end of the flu season and that's one of the reasons staff decided to recommend the lengthy extension.
"We figured it was a good time to regroup with council with an update. Should something change in between we would certainly bring an update back to council."
Council will have the power to remove the bylaw earlier if need be.
A total of 23 councillors voted in favour of the extension last night.
Welland Councillor Leanna Villella was one of the five councillors to vote against the decision.
"When you make a statement recommending six months more, whether it can be rescinded or not, you kill the spirited people and when you kill the spirited people they lose hope and when they lose hope despair sets in."
She says she would have preferred a two month extension instead.
Council also heard delegations from six residents against extension during last nights meeting.
The bylaw makes masks mandatory in indoor public spaces, but children under five-years-old and people with medical conditions are exempt.
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