Though mask mandates have officially ended in most public settings, Ontario is extending its remaining mask mandates in select high-risk settings until June 11th at the earliest.
Originally, the province had set the end date for masking in high-risk settings like public transit, healthcare facilities, shelters, and long-term care homes as April 27th.
However, with COVID-19 continuing to impact Ontario at high levels, masks will remain mandatory for at least a few more weeks as a key safety measure to help mitigate the worst impacts of the pandemic’s sixth wave.
UPDATED: Ontario is extending its mask mandate for high-risk indoor settings amid the ongoing sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health minister's office said Friday. https://t.co/LE6UEqHQfI
— CBC Toronto (@CBCToronto) April 22, 2022
“To protect our progress in managing this latest wave, I am maintaining masking requirements in specific public settings where individuals who are, or may be, at increased risk of severe outcomes, are in close contact for extended periods of time,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health.
“Continuing to follow masking requirements and keeping up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations are the best ways we can prevent transmission and protect our friends, families, and our communities.”
Other measures the province is introducing to manage this pandemic wave include expanding fourth booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccines to select vulnerable groups, and making antiviral treatments like Paxlovid available to eligible high-risk individuals.
Masking remains a crucial health & safety tool for the pandemic, and individuals are encouraged to wear the most protective masks available to them – including KN95 and N95 masks – while in indoor public spaees.
Read more on the Ontario website.
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