Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, has announced a six-week extension of the provincial mask mandate in high-risk indoor settings.
Originally set to expire on Wednesday (April 27), masks will continue to be required until Saturday, June 11th on public transit, in healthcare settings (including hospitals, doctors’ offices, and home and community care), long-term care and retirement homes, and shelters and other congregate care settings that provide care and services to medically and socially vulnerable individuals.
A complete list of settings where masking requirements continue to apply is available in the Dr. Moore’s class order under section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act (see end of story).
“To protect our progress in managing this latest wave, I am maintaining masking requirements in specific public settings where individuals who are, or may be, at increased risk of severe outcomes, are in close contact for extended periods of time,” Dr. Moore said. “Continuing to follow masking requirements and keeping up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations are the best ways we can prevent transmission and protect our friends, families, and our communities.”
The Ontario government has also announced it will be receiving supplies of Evusheld, an antibody treatment for immunocompromised individuals who are not positive for COVID-19 at the time of administration. Approved by Health Canada on April 14, Evusheld provides protection from COVID-19 for six months through two single-dose injections.
The province says it is expecting to receive its first shipment of Evusheld in late April, with subsequent shipments expected in May and June.
Evusheld will be available to people with the highest-risk of a severe outcome from COVID-19, including solid organ transplant recipients, stem cell transplant recipients, CAR-T therapy recipients, and other hematologic cancer patients undergoing treatment.
PDF: April 27 section 22 class order for continued mask requirements
April 27 section 22 class order for continued mask requirements
