Most remaining mask mandates in Ontario will be lifted this weekend.
Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore announced Wednesday afternoon that starting Saturday, June 11, masks will no longer be required to be worn by those who use public transit.
"To continue providing an additional layer of protection for the most vulnerable, masks will still be required in long-term care and retirement homes," Moore said in a statement. "Masking is recommended in higher-risk congregate living settings, such as shelters and group homes."
Moore added that individual organizations can still implement their own masking policies. Other remaining directives will also be revoked and replaced with guidance from the Ministry of Health for health-care workers and organizations.
"Ontarians should continue to wear a mask if they feel it is right for them, are at high risk for severe illness, recovering from COVID-19, have symptoms of the virus or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19," Moore said.
On March 21, the province lifted most major masking mandates in most indoor public settings after nearly two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moore said this progress in lifting restrictions is thanks to those who got vaccinated and followed the public health measures put in place since early 2020.
Provincially, the number of COVID-19 cases reported continues to trend downwards. The positivity rate in Ontario is currently at 6.4 per cent, that's down by about two per centage points compared to last week's data. Over 33-million COVID-19 vaccines have been doled out across Ontario and 7.3-million Ontarians have received a third booster shot.
"I want to remind Ontarians to stay home when sick and, most importantly, get vaccinated and boosted if eligible," Moore said. "Staying up to date with vaccination is the best protection against severe outcomes and will help us maintain the progress we have made."