Chair’s Statement on Ontario’s Lifting of Public Health Measures
On March 9, 2022, Ontario announced that it will be removing masking requirements in most places, including schools, on March 21, 2022. Other measures in schools, such as cohorting and daily on-site screening, will also be lifted.
Dawn Danko, Chair of Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, has responded to the news with the following statement:
“For the past two years, everyone at HWDSB has been responsive to the various safety measures to support students and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have worked closely with Hamilton Public Health Services and followed guidance from the Ministry of Education. Trustees have also implemented additional measures where necessary.
Today, the province announced the removal of most public health measures in most settings, including schools, effective March 21st . We know that there are mixed reactions to this change in our community. At HWDSB, we have remained committed to taking a cautious gradual approach to removing safety protocols, along with clear communication with our community when there are changes.
Among the lifted restrictions, the Ontario Government is removing the mask mandate in schools. At HWDSB, the Board of Trustees previously approved a motion that includes mask-wearing for students in Kindergarten to Grade 3. Trustees will review the motion, the direction from the province and share further details as soon as possible.
We are working through the implications of today’s announcement as we await formal direction from the Ministry of Education. We will share more information with staff and families before the end of the week.”
Until more information is shared, students, staff, families, and community members can learn more about the latest provincial developments through the following Ontario links:
Statement from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health
Today, Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health, issued a statement. Here is a portion of that statement:
“With continued improvement in trends, Ontario will remove the mandatory masking requirement for most settings on March 21, with the exception of select settings such as public transit, health care settings, long-term care homes and congregate care settings.
As a society, we must remain kind, considerate and respectful toward those who continue wearing a mask. We must also expect indicators, such as cases and hospitalizations, to increase slightly as Ontarians increasingly interact with one another. However, thanks to our high vaccination rates and natural immunity, as well as the arrival of antivirals, Ontario has the tools necessary to manage the impact of the virus.”
Full statement: Statement from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health
Living with and managing COVID‑19: March 9, 2022
Learn how Ontario intends to lift the remaining public health and workplace safety measures and track key indicators going forward.
PDF presentation: Living with and managing COVID‑19
Updated on Wednesday, March 09, 2022.