Wearing a mask will no longer be required in hospitals and public transport in Ontario starting Saturday, June 11. The provincial medical officer of health, Dr.r Kieran Moore announced his decision in a press release on Wednesday.
According to Ontario’s Medical Officer of Health, the requirement can be waived in these settings as vaccination rates are high and the pandemic situation improves. 87% of Ontarians over the age of 5 have received two doses of the vaccine. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health, 522 Ontarians infected with COVID are currently hospitalized.
Masks will continue to be required in long-term care homes and retirement homes, Dr.r Moore. It will also be recommended in other high-risk collective living spaces, such as shelters. Organizations affected by Wednesday’s announcement can continue to enforce their own mask-wearing policies.
The lifting of requirements announced today was originally scheduled for April 27. The medical officer of health, however, changed his mind on April 22 and extended the requirement until June 11. The Dr Moore made the decision as the province was in the midst of the sixth wave. He said at the time that he expected the wave to dissipate by the end of May.
Hospitals, long-term care homes and public transit are the last places in the province where masks are required. As of March 21, Ontarians do not have to wear masks in grocery stores, amphitheaters and several other public places. Many residents of the province continue to wear face coverings despite everything.
This story is supported by the Local Journalism Initiative, funded by the Government of Canada.
To see in video