Ontario’s top doctor says a timeline for lifting all COVID-19 measures in the province is coming soon.
Dr. Kieran Moore was asked during a COVID-19 media briefing Thursday whether the public can expect an update soon on when measures, including masking and the proof of vaccination system, will be lifted.
“We will be reviewing the evidence and … the evidence is showing we’re making remarkable improvement in all of the key metrics in Ontario and that forces us to review all public health measures that are in play,” Moore said.
“None of them are expected to remain in play longer than they need to be and/or have a benefit to protect Ontarians. So we are reviewing all of them in the coming days and anticipate we will make recommendations to government as soon as next week.”
Moore said there will be “greater clarity” for Ontarians regarding the processes that will be put into place and the timelines for the removal of “all public health measures.”
He said it will be done in a “graded, cautious manner, which has been the cornerstone of Ontario’s approach.”
A current government timeline for lifting public health measures shows most being lifted by March 14. A timeline to lift some measures, including masking and proof of vaccination, has not yet been provided, however.
Under a previous plan released in the fall, the government intended to lift masking and the proof of vaccination system by the end of March. That plan was halted after COVID cases surged.
Moore also hinted that the current timeline could be moved up given improving COVID-19 trends, though he noted that decisions on lifting restrictions are ultimately up to the government.
“I would assume government wants and will review timelines, as well as all public health measures, including when we remove proof of vaccination, when we remove masking in certain venues,” he said.
As of now, more capacity restrictions are set to be eased on Feb. 21 and on March 14, all capacity limits are set to be lifted, among other changes.
Moore indicated that when mask mandates are eventually lifted for certain venues, it would still likely remain in place for some time in schools and some public settings, like transit.
Moore said that the COVID-19 situation in Ontario today is “different” than when proof of vaccination and masking requirements were first introduced.
“And with this in mind, we are looking at the plan to consider when we can recommend to government what additional measures can be eased,” he said.
“This includes keeping our masks on for a while longer and with high vaccine coverage in the population, planning for when proof of vaccination can be discontinued. This and other measures would be considered in relation to lifting of other restrictions and the ongoing health and safety measures that would remain in public settings.”
All decisions in the coming days and weeks will be based “on the best evidence,” Moore said.
“These discussions are ongoing and we will have more to say in the coming days ahead,” he said.
His comments came just one day after Health Minister Christine Elliott said there were “no plans currently” to drop the proof of vaccination system or masking requirements.
On Thursday, the province also announced high-contact sports, choir and other extracurriculars can resume in Ontario schools after a temporary pause on the activities when students returned to in-person learning amid the Omicron wave.
Also on Thursday, the province said it was officially lifting a directive that paused surgeries and other procedures to preserve health system capacity.
— With files from The Canadian Press
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