Ford will keep his mask on in the legislature for 'first few days' post-mandate
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he will wear his mask "for the first few days" in the legislature after mandates lift on Monday.
The province has announced that mask mandates will lift in most public spaces on March 21, including schools, though they will remain in settings such as long-term care and public transit for about a month longer.
Government House Leader Paul Calandra is rescinding the mask requirement for the legislative chamber and in committees as of March 21, and the Speaker says the requirements will lift that day for the whole legislative precinct.
Ford says with the mandates being lifted, if people want to keep wearing a mask, then "God bless you," but if they don't that's fine too.
But Ford says he always errs on the side of caution so he will be keeping a mask on in the legislature "for the first few days" after the house resumes Monday following a one-week break.
Several school boards have asked to be able to keep their mask mandates in place for a few weeks after schools return following March break, but Ford has said no.
Many post-secondary institutions have said they will keep mask mandates until the end of the term, and when asked Tuesday why they can do that but public schools can't, Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop said post-secondary institutions are autonomous legal entities.
Ontario reported 688 people in hospital Tuesday with COVID-19, and 220 in intensive care. That's compared with 228 patients in ICUs a day earlier. The province said the number of hospitalizations was not available Monday.
There were 13 new deaths from the virus reported.
Ontario also logged 1,076 new COVID-19 cases, but the province's top doctor has said the actual number is likely 10 times higher, given that access to PCR testing is restricted.
Health Minister Christine Elliott said the Omicron subvariant BA.2, which is more transmissible, will likely account for half of the COVID-19 cases in Ontario "within the next short period of time."
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said earlier this month that BA.2 would likely be the dominant strain in Ontario by mid-March, but so far isn't increasing hospitalizations.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 15, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.