Ontario’s mask mandate ends Monday for most public sectors. But one school board is already fighting back, saying it won’t follow the provincial government’s wishes.
COVID-19 mask requirements will end in most indoor settings and, after two years, many Ontario residents are seeing it as a relief.
“We are tired of the pandemic and it’s got to run it’s course."
"I am feeling hesitant, but these things change."
"I don’t know if I’ll ever feel that comfortable just breathing that close to somebody else again.”
Premier Doug Ford’s government says wearing masks now is a personal choice.
Masks can now be removed in schools, restaurants, bars, grocery stores, banks gyms, libraries and pharmacies, to name a few. But they are still be required in hospitals, long-term care homes, medical clinics and congregate care settings. Those measures are scheduled to lift at the end of April.
The Toronto District School Board asked to extend the mandate, seeing that kids would be returning after March break.
“We were looking for a bit of an extension in the timeline to allow for the masking to be a little more gradual. Anywhere up to two weeks would have been a good compromise,” said Alexander Brown, chair of the TDSB.
Some medical experts, like Dr. Susy Hota, agree.
“I would personally really strongly encourage that people keep the masks on, especially in that short period after March break is finished. A couple of weeks to see how things play out isn’t a bad idea,” Hota said.
But the province said no to any extension of the mask mandate.
That hasn’t stopped the Hamilton Wentworth board. It has informed parents that it was going ahead with a plan to keep the masks in place until April 1.