The mandate for masks in the province for public transportation and health facilities has expired in Ontario.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kieran Moore says that with viral indicators going in the right direction and high levels of vaccination, it is time to replace mandates with guidelines.
He says wearing masks in these conditions is still recommended, but it will no longer be the subject of an emergency order that comes with the threat of fines and imprisonment.
The scientific director of the Ontario COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Board and the Ontario Hospital Association say they would like the provincial orders to remain in place longer.
Many Ontario hospitals across the province have said they will follow the rules for masks for visitors and staff, citing risk factors among their patients.
Mandates for masks in the province will remain in long-term care homes and retirees, where Moore says they must remain in place at least until the summer of 2023.
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