Masking policy changes for City of Ottawa facilities and OC Transpo

On Wednesday, March 9, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, announced that the province is removing its mandatory mask requirement for many indoor settings starting Monday, March 21. This next step in reopening is possible because the peak of the Omicron wave has passed and because of Ontario’s high vaccination rate.

The following City settings will no longer require the public to wear masks as of Monday, March 21:

Residents who prefer wearing masks at these facilities are welcome to do so. We must all continue to show kindness and compassion to one another and respect individual tolerance for risk when together in public settings.

Settings still requiring masks

As determined by the Province of Ontario, masks continue to be required on OC Transpo buses and trains and in stations, and on Para Transpo minibuses and taxis.

Mask wearing will also continue to be required for all individuals in the City’s high-risk and congregate settings. This includes:

  • Carleton Lodge, Centre d’accueil Champlain, Garry J. Armstrong, and Peter D. Clark long-term care homes
  • Physical distancing and respite centres
  • Ottawa Public Health’s vaccination clinics, dental clinics, sexual health clinics and supervised consumption services.

There are several types of effective masks. The key is to ensure they fit you properly. However, long-term care homes require a medical-type mask, which they provide to staff and visitors.

Ottawa Public Health continues to recommend mask use for people at risk of severe illness and for all indoors when physical distancing is difficult.

For more information on learning to live with COVID-19, visit Ottawa Public Health’s new Reducing the risks from COVID-19 webpage.

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