For the first time in nearly two years, Ontarians have the option to go maskless in most public settings, including malls, schools, restaurants, gyms, retail and grocery stores, movie theatres, and schools (although some universities will require masks for the rest of the semester).

Masks will however be required on public transit, in long-term care homes, health-care settings, and shelters, until April 27, when all restrictions will lift.

REMINDER!
Although mask mandates are changing in some settings on March 21, masks will remain mandatory on the #TTC until at least April 27, at the direction of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer. Any policy change will be announced at an appropriate time. pic.twitter.com/eFlXgpdZH7

— TTC Customer Service (@TTChelps) March 21, 2022

Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, said earlier this month that going maskless does not signal that the COVID-19 pandemic is over, but rather that Ontario has come to a place where it can manage the virus. He also noted that masking requirements may need to be reinstated if there is another spike in COVID-19 cases, and that vulnerable people should continue to take precautions and wear masks, despite COVID-19 restrictions easing.

“We will not hesitate to take action should the situation change, and we will inform Ontarians of any significant developments,” he said in a press conference in early March.

Reaction across social media is mixed, with some urging Ontarians to continue to wear masks in essential settings, such as grocery stores and pharmacies.

Today, Ontario’s mask mandate gets lifted. Regardless of how you feel about that and whether or not you plan to wear a mask in public spaces now, I think it would be super awesome if everyone kept wearing their masks in essential settings like grocery stores and pharmacies. (1/3)

— Michael Kras (@KrasMagic) March 21, 2022

Some Ontario students are staging walkouts in protest, requesting that mandates be extended.

Some background:

With masks becoming optional in most public settings, Ontario students are staging a walkout across the province, calling for mandates to be extended, as well as the implementation of health measures.https://t.co/LHnzlrGNKS

— Alessia Passafiume (@alespassafiume) March 21, 2022

Others are celebrating going maskless, choosing to believe that wearing masks should be a choice as they don’t prevent the spread of the virus.

One Twitter user noted that—now that masks are optional—he and his coworkers are being chided and criticized in both directions.

Now with masks being fully optional in Ontario, rather than it being totally chill my coworkers and I are being criticized and chided in both directions.

— Worldview Heinrichian (@RosasCatMimi) March 21, 2022

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