The Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore says that with viral indicators going in the right direction and high vaccination rates, it is time to replace commands with guidance. He says the use of masks in these settings is still recommended, but this will no longer be the subject of an emergency order accompanied by the threat of fines and imprisonment. The scientific director of the Ontario COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Board and the Ontario Hospitals Association say they would like provincial orders to remain in place for longer. Many Ontario hospitals across the province said they would follow the rules for masks for visitors and staff, identifying risk factors among their patients. Provincial mask orders will remain in long-term care and nursing homes, where Moore says they should remain in place until at least the summer of 2023.
