The Ontario chief physician announced that most of the remaining mandates for COVID-19 masks in the province would be lifted this weekend.
“With high levels of vaccination and the continuing situation with COVID-19 in Ontario, most of the remaining provincial camouflage requirements, including public transportation, will expire at 12:00 on June 11, 2022,” Chief Medical Director of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said in a statement issued Wednesday.
The order was due to expire on June 11 after it was extended in April. However, the Ministry of Health told CTV News Toronto earlier this week that Dr. Moore was reviewing and monitoring key indicators across the province before committing to the date.
Masks will continue to be required in long-term care homes and retirees.
Ontario residents have been largely without masks since March 21, when the requirement was lifted in public places such as restaurants, gyms and movie theaters.
Hospitalizations and positive rates increased in the weeks following the decision – which the Ontario government said was expected at the time.
Since then, these indicators for COVID-19 have improved significantly, and intensive care admissions related to the virus have reached a level not seen since last August.
The other directives on masks in hospitals and other healthcare facilities will also end on June 11th. These directives will be replaced by guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health for workers in these conditions.
The Ontario Department of Health still recommends wearing a mask in higher-risk areas such as shelters and group homes.
Private companies are free to implement their own camouflage policies in the absence of a province-wide mandate, and individuals can continue to wear a mask if they choose, the health ministry said.
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