COVID-19

On March 21, 2022, Ontario will be the next province to remove its mask mandate, following suit with Manitoba, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Alberta to name a few.

Masks will be no longer required to be worn in most indoor public settings, which includes schools and child care.

Manitoba has lifted all remaining COVID-19 public health orders and restrictions.

That, officially happened at 12:01 this morning. Prior to today, there were still three public health orders in effect with respect to mask-use, self-isolating and travel to northern Manitoba.

Albertans between the ages of 12 and 17 can now receive their COVID-19 booster shots.

As of yesterday eligibility opened up for this age bracket as long as it's been at least five months since they received their second dose.

Owner of Fireside Pharmacy, Gunjan Dave says they have already administered several boosters to eligible teens and tweens.

"There are quite a few kids that are coming in from that age group who are eligible for their boosters and we are excited about it," explains Dave.

The Children's Hospital Foundation will be relying on community fundraising events and individual donors to help their projects once again in 2022. 

"Unfortunately we've had to announce that the Children's Hospital Book Market and the Teddy Bear's Picnic remain on hold due to COVID-19," says Stefano Grande, the President and CEO of the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.

While most of the province has lifted all of the remaining public restrictions as of March 15, including wearing masks in public places, Grande shares why these events are cancelled this year. 

In less than a week on March 21, 2022,  the province of Ontario will remove its mask mandate in most indoor public settings mandate that has been in effect within the Northwestern Health Unit since August 12, 2020, and since October 3, 2020, provincially. 

Though concern has been raised on if the province jumped the gun on removing masks, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford says it is the right time to end the mandate.

More than two years after the start of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the province will be lifting its remaining public health orders and restrictions effective March 15, Health Minister Audrey Gordon announced today.

On the second anniversary of the beginning of the global pandemic, the numbers in Alberta on Friday, March 11 are as follows:

Two years ago to the day (March 11, 2022) the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic due to the surge of COVID-19.

Fast-forwarding to now, public health restrictions, such as capacity limits, proof of vaccination, and mask mandates have slowly been lifted across Canada, including Ontario.

Kenora MP, Eric Melillo sees restrictions being lifted as a very positive step for Canadians.

“I think Canadians have done their part to get through this pandemic and it’s good to see the light at the end of the tunnel is now emerging,” said Melillo.

The move to scrap Ontario’s mandatory mask mandate is causing some concern.

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, announced on March 9 that the province’s mandatory masking mandate will end in most indoor public settings on March 21.

Masks will remain in hospitals, long-term care homes, congregate care settings and public transit. But these settings will all be be able to remove their mask mandates by April 27.

The Northwestern Health Unit continues to encourage residents to receive their booster COVID-19 dose due to the overall effectiveness of the vaccine.

Dr. Kit Young Hoon, Medical Officer of Health for the NWHU says the most important thing for people to know is the value that comes from getting your booster dose.

“There is definitely increasing evidence and increasing information that we’re seeing,” said Young Hoon. “That booster dose of the vaccine provides extremely good protection against severe illness and hospitalizations.”