The Province of Ontario announced today that most of the remaining provincial masking requirements, including on transit, will be lifted on Saturday, June 11. Based on public health advice, masks will continue to be required in some City of Toronto congregate settings to protect the health and safety of residents and staff.
As announced by the Province, masks will continue to be required in long-term care and retirement homes, and will be recommended in congregate living settings, such as shelters and group homes. On June 11, the province will also issue guidance on when masks should be worn in hospitals and other health care settings. Full details of today’s provincial announcement are in the Most Masking Requirements to be Lifted on June 11 Ministry of Health statement.
The following City services and facilities will be impacted when the remaining provincial masking requirements are lifted on Saturday:
TTC, Transit and Union Station
With the provincial government’s public transit mask mandate expiring on June 11, the TTC is strongly recommending customers continue to wear masks while on vehicles and in stations. Masks will remain mandatory for customers and employees using TTC’s Wheel-Trans. Once the provincial mask mandate expires this Saturday, masks will also be optional on GO Transit and UP Express.
City long-term care homes
Mask, screening and testing requirements will continue in all City directly-operated long-term care homes at this time. Up-to-date information about City long-term care homes including visiting requirements is available on the City’s Long-Term Care Homes webpage.
Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA)
To protect the health and safety of staff and clients, the City has decided to continue mandatory masking for shelters, 24-hour respite and 24-hour women’s drop-in sites, as outlined in the Directive on masks and personal protective equipment use found on the City’s website. All screening, testing and infection prevention and control measures also continue to be maintained in shelter settings.
City of Toronto Children’s Services
The City’s Children’s Services division is continuing to work with Occupational Health and Safety to determine any updates to policies that would ensure the health and safety of staff and children in City-operated child care centres while following provincial direction. Any change to policy will be communicated to families and staff in advance. At this time, masks continue to be worn by child care staff, in indoor settings, when interacting with children, their families and other staff.
City-operated Ferries
Masks will no longer be required on City-operated ferries, once the provincial mask mandate expires this Saturday.
Mask policy for City staff
City staff will continue to be supported if they choose to wear a mask in the workplace. The City continues to monitor and review all public health guidance and government directives to ensure the health and safety of all employees. Personal protective equipment, including masks, will continue to be provided to staff, as required. Divisions are reviewing their operational protocols to determine any safety controls to protect workers.
Following the Province’s removal of mandatory masking requirements in other settings on March 21, masks are not required for visitors to most City facilities, including community centres. Anyone choosing to wear a mask will be supported in their choice.
The City’s online COVID-19: Guide for Residents will be updated to reflect the provincial masking mandate changes coming into effect this Saturday.
TPH encourages residents to stay up to date with their COVID-19 immunization, including all booster doses (third and fourth doses), for best protection against serious illness linked to this virus. Recent data show that residents who kept up to date with their vaccinations were better protected against serious consequences linked to the virus, when compared to those who were unvaccinated or under-vaccinated.
As COVID-19 continues to circulate in the community, residents are encouraged to practice public health measures including getting vaccinated, and are strongly encouraged to wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask, especially indoors and based on the setting and situation, and staying home if feeling unwell. More information is available on the City’s COVID-19: Reduce Virus Spread Guide webpage.