The Ontario government is still unsure on when exactly they will be removing the mask mandate that’s been in effect for the majority of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore said last week he still doesn’t have a timeline, but hopefully, it will be soon.
“Because the trends look so good that we can anticipate if the trends continue removing mandatory masking by the end of March,” said Dr. Moore.
Moore added that he wants to continue to monitor the trends of COVID-19 following Ontario moving into the next phase of their reopening plan, which removed capacity limits and proof of vaccination.
On Friday (March 4, 2022), reported only 821 people in hospitals with COVID-19, with 262 in intensive care units, which is showing a downward trend. This is down by 13 hospitalizations and a decrease of five in ICUs since the previous day. Last Friday, there were 1,003 hospitalizations with 297 in ICU.
Moore said he expects masks to continue to be mandated in high-risk settings such as public transit, hospitals, and long-term care homes.
Moore adds that the province plans to lift their mask mandates in all remaining indoor public settings at the same time as school mandates, opposed to separating out the two announcements.
Last week, Ontario Premier, Doug said in a press conference the March Break has been thrown around as a potential removal date, but still isn’t ready to announce an expected date.
“There’s no secret. There isn’t a person I talk to who likes these masks. No one likes them,” said Ford. “But I got to follow the advice, and we aren’t far away. Let’s all continue working together.”
The Province of Manitoba plans to remove mask requirements and all other restrictions by March 15, with the exception of masking in long-term care homes.
Saskatchewan’s mask mandate and all remaining public health orders were removed on the morning of February 28, while masking in Alberta came to an end on March 1.
Quebec has announced a plan to lift their mask mandates in schools by March 14, with plans to eventually remove all remaining mask mandates at a later date.
New Brunswick announced last week that it would lift its mask mandate for indoor public settings by March 14; a plan that Newfoundland and Labrador is expected to follow.