Ontario is set to lift mask mandates in most public spaces on Monday

Starting Monday, March 21st, masks will be optional in most indoor settings, including restaurants, gyms, stores, and schools across Ontario.

In some regions, residents might want to carry one just in case. After a vote yesterday, the Halton region announced that it will pull back its masking by-law with the province. However, in Burlington, you will still need to wear one until at least Tuesday when council will vote on its mandate.

Niagara’s medical officer of health, Dr. Mustafa Hirji says the region will be following the province’s lead and masks will be optional starting tomorrow. But, local public health units do have the authority to change guidelines based on the risk in the community by invoking a section 22 order. “It’s something we’re going to continue considering down the road if we see an unusual spike of infections here in Niagara compared to the rest of the province. At this time though the province has said it wants to try taking a voluntary approach to this and you know we’re aligning with that.”  And Dr. Hirji says municipalities within Niagara can also introduce their own mandates.

Hamilton also has city by-laws in place until a special meeting that will be held on Monday where they will discuss repealing those mandates. CHCH News reached out to the city on what residents should do until then but have yet to hear back.

Infectious disease specialist Martha Fulford says she is not concerned about the changes. “Ontario’s actually one of the very last jurisdictions anywhere that’s doing this. Which should be really reassuring for everybody because we know from looking across Canada as well as the U.S. and all of Europe to realize that a great many places have dropped all mask mandates and everything has been just fine.”

Even though masks are optional, Dr. Hirji still recommends wearing one. Masks will still be required in some areas such as health-care settings, long-term care homes, and on public transit until at least April 27th.