GREY-BRUCE – Dr. Ian Arra, Grey-Bruce’s medical officer of health, says the region is well positioned to deal with the lifting of masking mandates for most indoor settings, including schools, later this month.
In a press release, Arra stated he supports the government’s plan to lift the mandate on March 21. He says the plan is measured and the timing is appropriate based on current data and trends related to COVID-19.
“The mandatory masking policies, local and provincial, served their purpose and protected people from COVID-19,” said Arra.
“With provincial and local public health indicators continuing to improve and based on current vaccination rates, the timing is right to end the universal requirement for masking in indoor public places that are not considered high-risk.”
Arra noted that implementing the least restrictive policies possible in order to protect the population’s health is “consistent with the principle of least intrusive, one of the key principles of public health.”
“In keeping with this principle, universal masking policies should be lifted as soon as possible, so long as it is safe to do so,” he said.
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore announced on March 9 the province’s plan to remove its masking mandate for most indoor public settings on March 21. Masking requirements will still be in place for high-risk settings such as hospitals, long-term care homes, congregate care settings, shelters and public transit.
Like Moore, Arra is urging people to be kind to those who opt to continue wearing face masks after March 21.
Grey-Bruce implemented a mandatory mask policy for enclosed public places in July 2020 through an order issued by the medical officer of health. The order was renewed in September 2020.
The provincial masking mandate came into effect in October 2020 during the pandemic’s second wave.
