Ontario's mask mandate has ended in most places. Here's where you still need one
COVID-19 mask requirements in Ontario will lift in most indoor settings on Monday.
Starting March 21, many of the settings in which Ontario residents have had to wear masks for the last two years will no longer require them.
The government said individuals can continue to wear a mask after that date if they choose to do so.
Here’s where you will be allowed to remove your mask as of March 21:
- Schools
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Grocery stores
- Banks
- Gyms
- Movie theatres
- Pharmacies
- Convenience stores
- Libraries
Here’s where you will need to continue wearing your mask as of March 21:
- Public transit
- Hospitals
- Medical clinics
- Long-term care homes
- Congregate care settings, such as shelters and jails
The government originally said that mask mandates in the latter category would lift on April 27, effectively putting an end to the requirement across the province. However, the province has since extended the measure to June 11.
At a separate news conference Wednesday, Premier Doug Ford said that the choice to wear a mask beyond March 21 will be a personal one.
“It's going to be up to the people of Ontario, if you want to keep the mask on, keep it on,” Ford said. “If you want to take it off, take it off. But we have to move forward from this, people are exhausted and the poor kids in those classrooms too. Like we got to move on.”
The Ministry of Health has also said organizations are welcome to keep mandatory masking policies in place if they so choose.
On March 14, mandatory vaccination policies for employees at schools, child-care settings, hospitals and long-term care homes will also come to an end.
With files from Phil Tsekouras.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Economists predict a 'mild recession,' but what would that look like in Canada?
With inflation on the rise and central banks poised to increase rates, CTVNews.ca speaks with experts on whether Canada will experience a recession, and if so, what it would look like.
Medical investigator rules Baldwin set shooting an accident
The fatal film-set shooting of a cinematographer by actor Alec Baldwin last year was an accident, according to a determination made by New Mexico's Office of the Medical Investigator following the completion of an autopsy and a review of law enforcement reports.
'We've been abandoned': Man dies in B.C. town waiting for health care near ambulance station
For the second time in less than a month, a resident of Ashcroft, B.C., died while waiting for health care after having a heart attack mere metres from a local ambulance station.
'I have to fight for myself': Quadriplegic man says N.S. government told him to live in a hospital
A diving accident at 14-years-old left Brian Parker paralyzed from the chest down. Now at age 49, he's without the person who was caring for him full-time until just last week, after his 68-year-old mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Minister asks Canadians not to fake travel plans to skip passport application lines
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development of Canada Karina Gould is discouraging people from making fake travel plans just to skip the line of those waiting for passports.
Canadian home sales fall for 5th month in a row, down 29 per cent from last July
Canada's average resale home price fell 4.5% from a year ago in July and was down 5.4% on the month as buyers continued to sit on the sidelines amid rising borrowing costs.
Wet'suwet'en pipeline protest blocks Vancouver traffic
A large rally planned in Vancouver to protest the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern B.C. blocked traffic Monday morning.
Thousands of Afghans who helped Canada trapped in Afghanistan, struggling to leave
The federal government needs to do more to help thousands of Afghans who assisted Canadian Forces but remain trapped in Afghanistan a year after the Taliban seized Kabul, aid groups and opposition parties say.
New COVID-19 booster targeting Omicron, original variants approved in U.K.
British drug regulators have become the first in the world to authorize an updated version of Moderna's coronavirus vaccine that aims to protect against the original virus and the omicron variant.
Montreal
-
Quebec launches another COVID-19 vaccination campaign for seniors
Quebec health authorities are launching another COVID-19 booster vaccination campaign on Monday, targeting people living in CHSLDs and private seniors' residences (RPAs). The recommended interval between baseline vaccination and a first booster dose is three months or more, while the suggested interval between each subsequent booster dose is five months or more.
-
Back-to-school season at Quebec colleges marked by shortage of teachers, support staff
With one week to go before the start of the new school year, the CSQ is concerned that some CEGEPs will be unable to offer certain services and even some courses due to a lack of staff.
-
A new 'fiscal pact' with Montreal tops Mayor Plante's Quebec election wish list
The next political party to form government in Quebec this fall needs to make a 'fiscal pact' with Montreal so that the metropolis can properly cope with an unprecedented level of homelessness, increasing gun violence, and to meet the city's green initiatives, Mayor Valerie Plante said Monday.
London
-
Vehicle crashes into South London cannabis store Monday evening
Multiple emergency crews responded after a vehicle crashed into a One Plant cannabis store in south London Monday evening.
-
'Broken collarbone and road rash': London cyclist describes alleged hit and run
In serious pain, Randy Van Puyenbroeck had trouble sleeping. He was cycling with a group of members from the London Cycling Club on White Oak Road Sunday morning when he and a fellow rider were involved in a crash with a truck.
-
Homicide suspect arrested: London police
Antony Centeno-So, the man wanted for his alleged involvement in the murder of Devon Cherrey-Rooke earlier this month, is in the custody of London police Monday.
Kitchener
-
-
Low volunteer turnout has local non-for-profits feeling the pinch
As staffing shortages affect several sectors across the province, local non-for-profits say they’re facing a shortage of volunteers.
-
Parents call for transparency following WRDSB hack that saw student data accessed
Some parents are calling for the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) to disclose more details about a data hack that saw what the board describes as “certain” student information accessed.
Northern Ontario
-
Lisa LaFlamme is leaving CTV News
Lisa LaFlamme is leaving CTV News. The network announced today that the Chief Anchor and Senior Editor is departing after more than 30 years with the company.
-
Recycling brings North Bay record profits
Recycling not only benefits the earth, but record prices of certain recyclable products are generating some extra cash for the City of North Bay.
-
Long-time downtown Sudbury businessman running for mayor
A 72-year-old downtown Sudbury businessman has entered the pool of candidates running for mayor in the City of Greater Sudbury, bringing the number of contenders to nine.
Ottawa
-
Two Kemptville, Ont. residents file judicial review of proposed jail
A proposed correctional facility in Kemptville, Ont. has some residents concerned about how it might change the look of their small town and they are taking steps to prevent it from happening.
-
Ford expanding 'strong mayor' powers to more cities
Addressing municipal leaders in Ottawa this morning, on the first full day of events at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference, Premier Doug Ford said the 'strong mayor' powers he initially said would be granted to the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa will be expanded to other municipalities.
-
Lisa LaFlamme is leaving CTV News
Lisa LaFlamme is leaving CTV News. The network announced today that the Chief Anchor and Senior Editor is departing after more than 30 years with the company.
Windsor
-
Man shot by Windsor police officer succumbs to injuries
A 70-year-old man has died following a police-related shooting Monday in downtown Windsor.
-
Windsor politicians push for more community benefits from Ambassador, Gordie Howe bridges
Amid reports of possible delays with the Gordie Howe Bridge Project, Windsor West New Democrat Brian Masse is pushing the federal government to provide any cost penalties levied upon the contractor to go back into the community.
-
Squash on display at Devonshire Mall
With a thriving Windsor Squash and Fitness Club, the city has played host to many tournaments but none like the one currently taking place at Devonshire Mall.
Barrie
-
Police investigate deadly collision in Oro-Medonte
Police are investigating a deadly collision in Oro-Medonte Monday afternoon.
-
Barrie road closed until 2023 for new GO rail expansion
Trans Power Utility has closed Minet's Point Road to install a new road crossing to support the Regional Express Rail Expansion planned for the Barrie GO corridor.
-
New trial granted to Barrie man convicted of second-degree murder
Five years after being found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury of eight men and four women, Terrence Barrett will have a new trial.
Atlantic
-
N.S. reports increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations for month of July, decrease in deaths
Nova Scotia is reporting a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations for the month of July, while the number of deaths decreased compared to previous months.
-
Saint John Police investigate possible link between missing person and human remains
Rocca said an examination of dental records was being conducted Monday afternoon in hopes of identification.
-
One dead after vehicle crashes, catches fire in Dartmouth: police
A person has died after police say a vehicle crashed and caught fire in Dartmouth Monday morning.
Calgary
-
Death of 63-year-old woman at Strathmore care home declared a homicide: RCMP
The death of a 63-year-old woman last Friday at a Strathmore care home was a homicide, said Strathmore RCMP in a release issued Monday.
-
Body of Calgary man recovered from B.C.'s Cultus Lake
An Alberta man drowned over the weekend at a popular lake in British Columbia, Mounties confirmed Monday.
-
Calgary-based refugees look back at Taliban takeover of Afghanistan
It’s been one year since the Taliban took over the Afghan capital of Kabul, seizing control from a government that was widely acknowledged around the world.
Winnipeg
-
Tornado warnings ended; severe thunderstorm warnings remain in southern Manitoba
The tornado warnings issued in parts of southern Manitoba Monday evening have ended, though severe thunderstorm warnings remain in place with reports of baseball-sized hail.
-
Bell MTS service restored in Manitoba
Customers with Bell MTS should now have their internet and TV services back.
-
Armed and barricaded situation lasted nearly 10 hours, three people charged: police
Three people have been arrested after police officers executed a search warrant, which resulted in an armed and barricaded situation that lasted almost 10 hours.
Vancouver
-
B.C. man found not-guilty of 2019 Williams Lake kidnapping, murder
A B.C. man who was charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and kidnapping in connection to an incident near Williams Lake in 2019 has been found not guilty on all counts.
-
Police shoot, kill man near Kamloops after alleged abduction of woman and child
A man was shot and killed by Mounties near Kamloops, B.C., early Monday morning after police say he came out of a trailer holding both a child and a weapon.
-
Man charged in caught-on-camera assault of woman on Vancouver bus
A man has been charged in a shocking, unprovoked assault on a woman riding a Vancouver bus that was caught on camera back in June.
Edmonton
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Edmonton river valley gondola project halted by city council
Edmonton City Council decided to halt the Prairie Sky Gondola project for the time being.
-
Driver charged in crash that killed 2 motorcyclists east of Edmonton
The 29-year-old was charged with two counts of impaired operation causing death, impaired driving and possession of an illegal substance.
-
RCMP searching for 14-year-old boy in pond northwest of Edmonton
The boy Mounties are searching for in a pond in Whitecourt, Alta., on Sunday has been identified as a 14-year-old from Edmonton. The teenager, Hassan Mohamed, was last seen in the pond area of Rotary Park Outdoor Waterpark around 3 p.m.