Ontario’s top doctor says vaccine policies ‘no longer necessary’ come March 1
Posted February 17, 2022 4:35 pm.
Last Updated February 17, 2022 5:35 pm.
Ontario’s top doctor wants to end workplace COVID-19 vaccination policies by early next month.
Dr. Kieran Moore says he’s reviewing letters of instruction sent last year to various sectors including hospitals and post-secondary institutions, which required that they develop immunization policies.
Most sectors were instructed to require people get regularly tested for the virus if they are not vaccinated, but many took their policies further and required all workers get the shots.
Moore says he thinks the period of highest COVID-19 risk is over and that means vaccination policies are “no longer necessary.”
He says they would ideally lift on March 1, when proof-of-vaccination rules are set to lift for customers in businesses and other indoor settings.
Moore noted that a vaccine mandate for long-term care workers came from the minister responsible for that sector, not the chief medical officer. He also did not specifically mention whether a vaccinate-or-test policy would remain for school employees.
When it comes to masking, Moore says he will look to have an announcement those mandates as it relates to public spaces and schools by mid-March.
“If and when we transition it would be a mandate to mask to a recommendation to mask,” said Moore. “I would certainly hope that vulnerable members of our community that are at risk for this virus, that are immune suppressed and transplant patients in public spaces would continue to mask.”