Most remaining Ontario COVID mask mandates lifting on Saturday | Globalnews.ca

Most of Ontario’s remaining COVID-19 mask mandates will be lifted on Saturday, the province’s chief medical officer of health says.

In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Kieran Moore said as of 12 a.m. on June 11, the province will no longer require masks to be worn on public transit.

Directives will also be revoked and replaced with guidance from the Ministry of Health for health-care workers and organizations.

“To continue providing an additional layer of protection for the most vulnerable, masks will still be required in long-term care and retirement homes. Masking is recommended in higher-risk congregate living settings, such as shelters and group homes,” Moore said.

Moore noted that organizations may still implement their own masking policies if they choose to do so.

“Ontarians should continue to wear a mask if they feel it is right for them, are at high risk for severe illness, recovering from COVID-19, have symptoms of the virus or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19,” he said.

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Remaining mask mandates for Ontario set to expire this weekend

Moore said because of Ontarians following public health measures and getting vaccinated, “significant progress” has been made in the fight against COVID.

“However, I want to remind Ontarians to stay home when sick and, most importantly, get vaccinated and boosted if eligible,” he said.

“Staying up to date with vaccination is the best protection against severe outcomes and will help us maintain the progress we have made.”

Moore said the province will continue to monitor for any significant changes in COVID-19 trends and variants of concern “to ensure we are adapting our response to protect the health and safety of all Ontarians.”