After more than four hours of sometimes contentious debate Wednesday, Niagara regional councillors had not come to an agreement about whether to make masks mandatory indoors.

The decision was deferred to regional council on July 21.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing masks has become a major concern among many people and the province has left it up to municipalities to decide whether to impose the restriction.

Niagara public health officials have said making masks mandatory is not necessary.

Prior to regional council's debate, Niagara-on-the-Lake Lord Mayor Betty Diseros said she would support a move to mandatory masks.

“This is a difficult one. I believe in masks indoors, I will vote for it at the region, however, will I be voting for something that is likely totally unenforceable unless we hire a significant number of bylaw officers?” she told The Lake Report.

“I just don't get why people don't care enough to wear a mask or a face shield for others. It would be great if the upper levels of government would assist in some way.”

Regional Coun. Gary Zalepa said ahead of the debate that he would follow the advice of the medical officer of health, who previously refused to support mandatory masks.