Starting today, the mask mandate is being lifted in most indoor public spaces in the province.
The Ontario government has removed the mandatory masking requirement for most settings, including schools, restaurants and most businesses, with the exception of public transit, health care settings, long-term care homes and congregate care settings.
Our Medical Officer of Health, Dr Kieran Moore, made the announcement on March 9th, 2022, when he stated, “As a society, we must remain kind, considerate and respectful toward those who continue wearing a mask. We must also expect indicators, such as cases and hospitalizations, to increase slightly as Ontarians increasingly interact with one another. However, thanks to our high vaccination rates and natural immunity, as well as the arrival of antivirals, Ontario has the tools necessary to manage the impact of the virus.”
Even though some private schools in the province are allowed to keep their mask mandate in place, at all others, it is being lifted today as students return from March Break.
All three teachers’ unions have voiced concerns about the plan, but are telling their members to do what feels safe to them and students can also wear a mask if they care to do so.
Learn how Ontario intends to lift the remaining public health and workplace safety measures and learn to manage COVID-19 for the long-term.
Good Morning Ontario,
Today marks an important milestone in our fight with COVID. Thanks to your hard work, sacrifice and willingness to rise to the occasion, Ontario is now at a place where we can safely remove the mask mandate in most settings. Please be kind, safe & cautious.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) March 21, 2022
As Dr. Moore said, we’ll soon be at the point where Ontarians will have to determine if they want to wear a mask or if they prefer not to.
As we move forward, I encourage everyone to support each other and respect every person's decision. pic.twitter.com/Mdh4C4IAqe
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) March 12, 2022
Ontario’s re-opening plans have been one of the most cautious in North America. We want to re-open and stay open.
It's thanks to the hard work of Ontario's front line health care workers, combined with Ontarians signing up to get vaccinated, that we’re going to #ReopenToStayOpen. pic.twitter.com/H3kHGkfbLo— Doug Ford (@fordnation) March 13, 2022
Ontario has updated its #COVID19 isolation guidelines for individuals who have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19.
If you’re sick, please remember to stay home to help keep our communities healthy and safe.
Visit https://t.co/urOtB7S6Q8 to learn more. pic.twitter.com/8i5sEPVaAR
— Ontario Ministry of Health (@ONThealth) March 9, 2022