Ontario's mask mandate will be lifted for most indoor settings - including schools, restaurants, and stores - later this month.
Citing "continued improvement in trends", Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore has announced the government will remove the masking requirement for most settings on March 21st, though it will remain for public transit, health care settings, long-term care homes, and congregate care settings.
While the requirement will lift, Moore emphasizes that "we must remain kind, considerate, and respectful toward those who continue wearing a mask", adding "we must also expect indicators, such as cases and hospitalizations, to increase slightly as Ontarians increasingly interact with one another", though "thanks to our high vaccination rates and natural immunity, as well as the arrival of antivirals, Ontario has the tools necessary to manage the impact of the virus" - Moore also acknowledges "this does not signal that COVID-19 has disappeared or that the pandemic is over", just "that we have come to a place where we know what we need to do to manage this virus and to keep each other safe", so "we need to remain vigilant, we need to stay home when sick, and most importantly, we need to get vaccinated and boosted".
Remaining mask requirements and emergency orders are scheduled to expire April 27th.