Regional council votes to repeal mask by-law
Posted Mar 16, 2022 10:37:00 PM.
Regional council has voted to repeal the mandatory mask by-law relating to enclosed public spaces effective Monday. It's been in place since July 2020.
The vote was unanimous. It means face coverings will no longer be required in settings like stores and shopping malls, inside restaurants and bars, places of worship, gyms, and cinemas beginning next week.
Schools, hospitals and other provincial and federal facilities were not included in the by-law.
Masks will still be required on public transit until the province lifts that requirement, which is expected to happen April 27.
Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hsui-Li Wang, said that Ontario is transitioning to a plan in which COVID-19 will be managed differently. Despite the lifting of the mask mandate, she is still encouraging residents to wear a mask in certain settings.
“I am going to continue to recommend during periods of elevated risk and if and when we have another wave, that people mask because masking is an evidence informed tool that helps protect the person who wears the mask as well as those around them,” said Dr. Wang.
Regional Chair, Karen Redman, said that at this point in time, wearing a mask is a personal choice.
“Repealing the mandatory mask wearing by-law doesn't mean people cannot opt to wear masks. I hope that everybody will be very considerate and understand that different people will have different reactions and there will be people that choose to continue to wear masks.”
Chair Redman added that this is the current reality, but things could change in the future.
“With the province lifting and easing the restrictions and lifting mandates, I think it is appropriate that we stay in step with them but we're not through this pandemic,” she said. “So I think easing these restriction at this juncture is appropriate but I do think we will have to continue to watch indicators to make sure that we are still going in the right direction.”
Here’s the list of public indoor spaces where masks will no longer be required effective Monday. pic.twitter.com/Nd8kt0RyPC
— Erin Anderson (@erinbailey_a) March 16, 2022
