Ontario mask mandate could be lifted 'simultaneously' across province and schools

Dr. Kieran Moore, the Chief Medical Officer for Ontario, told the public during a Thursday press conference that, when the mask mandate gets lifted, it will happen almost everywhere in the province "simultaneously."

Dr. Moore, however, made no concrete mention whatsoever during the conference about at what point in time the mandate would be lifted, although it appears he wishes to lift the mandate "in coming weeks."

According to CTV News Toronto, Dr. Moore told the public, "We're trying to learn best practices globally and provincially, and, as the risk decreases in Ontario, make recommendations to government with that in mind."

He then added that, when the time comes, the mask mandate won't be lifted "piecemeal," but rather in almost all situations at once. He specifically indicated that any lifting of the mask mandate would include the province's schools.

CTV goes on to report that many provinces have already lifted mask mandates and vaccination requirements, or are planning to do so in the near future.

The province of Saskatchewan has dropped all mask mandates and "vaccine passport" requirements on Feb 8, 2022. In Quebec, they are planning to lift the mask mandate for students in classrooms, with the change going into effect on March 15, 2022.

And, across the border, the indoor mask mandate has been dropped in the neighboring state of New York. Incredibly, and contrary to Dr. Moore's proposal, school children in New York State are still required to mask up, though.