The clock is ticking for mask mandates in most public settings in Ontario.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kieran Moore announced this morning that as of March 21st, Ontarians will no longer be required to wear a mask indoors in most public settings.
That will not apply to high risk settings such as hospitals, congregate care settings, and long term care, as well as public transit.
“Removing the mask mandate does not mean the risk is gone,” said Moore, adding that masks can still help limit virus transmission and are still encouraged in some situations. “We are moving from a mandate to a choice.”
Masking rules for all sectors will be removed on April 27th.
Federal masking requirements, including rules for returning international travelers, remain in place.
However, Dr. Moore says there is always the possibility mask mandates may return should a new variant of concern emerges, or in the fall and winter when other respiratory viruses are likely to circulate again.
“We’re going to maintain a robust surveillance system going into the fall and we’re going to have a testing strategy that will allow through PCR multiple different viruses, whether it’s influenza-A, influenza-B, RSV, or COVID-19.”
The March 21st date to lift the majority of mask mandates coincides with students returning from March Break across the province, however Dr. Moore says he’s confident schools are safe for students and staff. He says continued masking, in the classroom or elsewhere, will be a personal choice.
“I hope parents choose to mask if their child is vulnerable to this virus,” Moore says. “The good news is that over 50-55% (of children between 5-11) have had their first dose (of vaccine) and the vast majority of those are going to have their second dose, the risk of hospitalization to those children from 5-11 is quite low, the measures we’ve put in place in schools have worked.”
Those who feel more comfortable wearing a mask in public spaces may continue to do so voluntarily based on their own individual health risks, and Dr. Moore is asking everyone to treat others with respect regardless of their masking choice.
