On Wednesday, the provincial government announced that mask orders would be lifted in most high-risk areas by 12:01 p.m. Saturday’s.
Masks will no longer be required on public transport, hospitals and shelters. The mandates, however, will remain in effect for nursing homes and long-term care.
The province first implemented mask orders to reduce the spread of the virus in October 2020.
The Director of Health Dr. Kieran Moore says he is not worried about an increase in coronavirus cases following the lifting of orders due to high vaccination rates and a reduction in the spread of the virus in the province.
“No (I’m not worried), mainly because Ontarians continue to wear masks despite the order. We are careful. We are careful. We are a little kind to each other. “And I continue to see masks even outdoors walking the streets of Toronto,” Moore told CP24 on Friday morning.
Despite the province’s decision to lift the cover order, the head of the Ontario Science Board says the cover orders should have been kept in high-risk environments for “at least a few more weeks.”
In addition, many Toronto hospitals have said they will keep the mask for the time being.
“I think Dr. Moore, looking at all the evidence and where we are with COVID, fortunately feels that we are now at a point where we can abandon this cover-up, which is amazingly new, good progress, but we’re not out. from the forest for particularly vulnerable populations, “University Health Network President Kevin Smith told CP24 on Wednesday.
Hospital for Sick Children, Humber River Hospital, North York General Hospital, Sunnybrook Hospital, Women’s College Hospital and Mackenzie Health have also said the mask requirements will remain in place.
Moore says he agrees with the hospitals’ stance on keeping coverage orders, as it is in line with provincial guidelines.
He added that the province is simply moving from a temporary mandatory coverage order to a standard of care.
“So, I expect all these sites and partners to continue with all the best practices and all the lessons we have learned over the last two and a half years. “So I have full confidence in patients, health care workers and their families that the standards will be maintained without the need for a mandatory mandate that includes fines and the risk of imprisonment, which we have never had to use.”
Moore acknowledged that Ontarians may feel uncomfortable with lifting the coverage order, but said the province is in a good position right now with most COVID-19 measurements improving, such as hospitality, test positivity and sewer signal data. .
“Our response in Ontario has been excellent. I have to thank all the people of Ontario because we are in this position just because the people of Ontario have accepted treatment. They have accepted the vaccination and they have agreed to wear a mask where it is needed. And I think it is “At a time in the summer when we can remove the obligatory nature of the mask and the people of Ontario will remain vigilant, vigilant as we head towards autumn,” he said.
On Thursday, the county reported 549 patients in hospitals, down 121 from the previous week. The county also reported the lowest number of hospital-assisted ventilators since October 2020.
With files from CP24 Byrann Aguilar
