Toronto council in favour of ending mask mandates in accordance with province

Toronto’s city council has voted in favour of dropping city mask mandates on March 21 — in line with the new provincial timeline announced by Ontario’s chief medical officer of health on Wednesday.

This follows recommendations from the city’s top doctor, who suggested that Toronto end its mask mandates while changes are made to the provincial regulations.

The vote passed 24-1 by the city council on Wednesday. Masks on TTC and in high-risk health settings are still required until April 27.

Councillor John Filion of Ward 18 was the only one to vote against the motion, saying he believed it to be too soon.

In a report presented to council on Wednesday, Dr. Eileen de Villa recommended that the council support measures for individuals to choose to continue to wear masks “even in the absence of masking requirements.”

“The City’s mask bylaw was always intended to be time-limited and was enacted at a time when a city-wide bylaw was required to manage the significant health risks posed by COVID-19 when there was either no vaccine or, later, when the population was only partially vaccinated,” wrote de Villa.

“Given the high rate of vaccine coverage and current epidemiological trends, Toronto can consider removing these regulations in concert with the Government of Ontario, which has indicated its intent to do so towards the end of March.”

Toronto’s mask bylaw has been in effect since July 7, 2020, and was set to expire next month.

“Masks continue to be mandatory in high-risk and congregate settings including public transit, long-term care and retirement homes, healthcare settings, congregate care settings, shelters and jails under provincial regulation,” the city said in a statement.

“At the same time, Council affirmed their support for residents to choose to wear a mask, even in the absence of regulations requiring mask-wearing.”

Council requested that Dr. de Villa continue to engage with Dr. Kieran Moore to review Toronto’s epidemiological data and discuss the use of masks and other infection prevention and control measures “to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread, particularly in higher-risk settings in Toronto.”

Ontario laid out its plans to lift remaining COVID-19 public health measures, including mandatory masks and workplace vaccination policies, by the end of April. By then, masks will no longer be required in long-term care homes, retirement homes, healthcare settings, shelters, congregate living environments, and public transit.

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Mayor John Tory says his desire to follow along with the province’s decision comes in consultation with Dr. de Villa. Still, the mayor says he recognizes some residents may be uncomfortable with the idea of ditching masks.

“No matter what you do, there is going to be someone who disagrees,” Tory says. “I rely on the doctors.”

With public transit ridership on the rise due to climbing gas prices, Tory was asked if now is an ideal time to be considering removing masks.

“The TTC has its board and sets its policy with respect to masking,” said Tory. “They will have a decision to make as well.”

TTC spokesperson Stuart Green confirmed that masks will remain mandatory across the transit system until April 27, in line with the provincial recommendation.

ICYMI:
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer recommends masking on public transit stays in place through April 27
In keeping with that, masks will remain mandatory while riding the #TTC until at least then.
Any changes in our policy will be publicly announced at an appropriate time. pic.twitter.com/lOTkxrNkYy

— TTC Media Relations ???????????????? (@TTCNewsroom) March 9, 2022

Ontario ended most of its primary COVID-19 public health measures on March 1.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required at most Ontario restaurants, gyms and movie theatres, while nightclubs, sporting and concert venues have now eliminated capacity limits, and restrictions have been lifted on social gathering sizes.