The Government of Ontario has announced that it plans to remove most mask mandates on March 21 and end all remaining public health orders in April.
The government of Canada’s most populous province says it will shift the onus of protection from COVID-19 to individuals moving forward.
Improving health indicators, such as a stable test positivity rate and declining hospitalizations, as well as Ontario's high vaccination rates and the availability of antiviral treatments, allow for mask mandates to now be lifted, said Ontario’s chief medical officer of health.
The announcement comes as 1,974 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Ontario on March 9. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said that the world has learned a lot since March 2020 when COVID-19 was declared a pandemic and Ontario is in much better shape today.
“We're going to move forward cautiously, and if someone wants to keep (a mask) on, God bless them, and good for them,” said Premier Ford.
The next step in Ontario's reopening will come on March 14, when mandatory vaccinate-or-test policies end for workers in schools, child-care settings, hospitals, and long-term care.
On March 21, masking requirements in most settings will be removed – including in schools and child-care settings – except for public transit, and healthcare settings such as long-term care facilities.
April 27, all remaining mask rules will be lifted and remaining emergency orders and directives will end, except isolation requirements for those who've tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms.
