Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health will be removing the local health order requiring masks in wake of the province's announcement that it is ending the mask mandate on March 21.
“WDG Public Health will remove the local Section 22 Orders on masking pursuant to the province’s direction under the Reopening Ontario Act on masking on March 21, 2022. We will continue to monitor local COVID-19 conditions and respond as the situation requires," said chief medical officer of health Dr. Nicola Mercer in a news release.
"While many of us are ready to take this next step, many are not. For families with children under five, members of our community with underlying health conditions and many who are just not ready to get ‘back to normal,’ your concerns are very valid. Please continue to follow the public health measures that support your and your families’ needs."
Meanwhile the Upper Grand District School Board announced it will be consulting the province regarding its own board mandate requiring masks in schools and on school buses.
"Today Ontario announced changes to COVID-19 requirements effective March 21, including lifting mask mandates in schools. NOTE: UGDSB continues to have a Board Resolution requiring masks in schools/buses. We will consult w/the province & will provide updates as soon as we can," tweeted the board Wednesday afternoon."
Alison Wilson, communications officer at the Wellington Catholic District School Board said masks will no longer be required for students, staff and visitors in school board offices and on student transportation as of March 21.
She said eye protection for staff will also no longer be required and masking will continue to be optional for students and staff as they return from March Break.
“Staff will continue to have access to personal protective equipment such as masks and face shields supplied by the Board if they wish to continue to use them. Regardless of personal choices on masking and in alignment with the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s comments, we ask that kindness, respect and consideration should be shown to all,” said Wilson.
