Mask mandates at Ontario schools to be lifted on March 21

UPDATED

Ontario’s top doctor says the province will drop most mask mandates including in schools and child-care settings on March 21.

Other public safety measures at schools like cohorting and daily screening will also be removed at that time.

Ontarians will still be required to wear masks in certain high-risk settings like public transit, long-term care, retirement homes, other congregate settings, and health-care settings.

During a news conference Wednesday morning, Dr. Kieran Moore said all remaining public health measures, directives and orders will end on April 27.

He encouraged those who are vulnerable to continue to wear masks once mask mandates are lifted.

The chief medical officer of health said the province has seen improving health indicators, such as declining hospitalizations, high vaccination rates and a stable COVID-19 test positivity rate.

Moore asked members of the public to tolerate an individual’s choice to wear a mask going forward, adding that he will continue to wear his in places like busy malls or big box stores.

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) called the province’s decision to remove mask mandates in Ontario schools “premature” and said it may cause further disruption as well as jeopardize safety.

“Throughout the pandemic, Ontarians have relied on public health officials to lead with a science- and evidence-based approach. Unfortunately, it appears that a fast-approaching June election is influencing politicians’ decisions to lift COVID-19 safety measures,” said EFTO President Karen Brown in a news release. “Lifting the mask mandate too soon may result in further disruption to in-person learning and negative impacts on the health and safety of ETFO members, students, and their families. Ontarians deserve stability and safety, not more chaos.”

The Children’s Health Coalition issued a statement saying keeping masks on in schools for two weeks after the March break would have made more sense.

The Children’s Health Coalition issuing this statement saying keeping masks on in schools for 2 weeks after March break would have made more sense. They encourage children to continue wearing masks. @CHCHNews #onpoli #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/rsEkpn5hDa

— Nicole Martin (@nicolemartintv) March 9, 2022

The coalition, which includes several children’s health organizations like McMaster Children’s Hospital and Sick Kids, is encouraging children to continue wearing masks.