Whether or not you wear a face covering has become a personal choice inside most public places across Ontario.
As of Monday, the province has lifted the mask mandate that has been in effect for nearly two years. That means people no longer have to wear face coverings in most indoor public settings including schools, restaurants, bars, grocery stores, gyms, pharmacies, and movie theatres.
Despite the end of the provincial mandate, Middlesex London’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers has recommended the continued use of masks.
“We still see pronounced Omicron transmission in the community, and I am anticipating that cases are going to go up as these public health protections get scaled back. We’ll continue to strongly recommend masking as much as possible in indoor environments. Masks have proven to be a highly effective, low problem intervention,” Summers said. “From a public health perspective, the benefits of these masks are pretty clear.”
Masks are still required in hospitals, long-term care homes, congregate care settings, and on public transit until April 27.
The province has left it up to individual businesses whether they continue to mandate the use of masks.
The Middlesex London Health Unit has said it will require those accessing its facilities and clinics to wear a face covering. Western University and Fanshawe College are both still keeping masks for students, staff, and faculty for the remainder of the school term. On the flip side , the Thames Valley District School Board said face coverings will be optional going forward.
