Durham Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kyle, has warned that continued relaxation in restrictions does not mean that the battle against covid has been won.
“While lifting remaining public health measures does not mean the risk of Covid-19 has been eliminated, it indicates that the province is ready to move to a longer-term approach to living with and managing Covid-19,” he explained.
He pointed out that there continue to be new cases of Covid-19 daily and the virus is still circulating in the community. “Masks have helped us protect each other from getting ill. Some in the community may choose to continue to wear masks in public settings for an added layer of protection, and it is recommended that vulnerable individuals at risk of serious illness from Covid-19 continue to wear masks in indoor public settings. Residents should consider their own personal risk, as well as the risk of vulnerable individuals they may live with, when deciding whether to wear a mask. The province will continue to provide free masks and personal protective equipment for staff and students who choose to wear them in both school and childcare settings.”
Dr. Kyle said residents are advised to be prepared in case there is a surge in Covid-19 activity as the province may decide to bring back certain public health measures, such as masking requirements, to protect the health and safety of Ontarians.
Get Vaccinated
“As masking requirements in most settings will soon be lifted, I would like to emphasize once again the importance of getting vaccinated,” said Dr. Kyle adding that there continues to be Covid-19 transmission throughout the community.
Getting vaccinated is your best protection against serious illness and hospitalization resulting from Covid-19, he said.
First, second and booster doses continue to be offered at Health Department clinics throughout Durham Region. In addition, residents can get vaccinated at participating pharmacies and through local healthcare providers offering Covid-19 vaccine. Visit durham.ca/covidvaccine for more information.
The province has continued to see key public health indicators improve or remain stable and, as a result, will be removing the mandatory masking requirement for most settings, including schools, on March 21. Masking requirements will remain on public transit, in health care settings, long-term care homes and congregate care settings. At the same time, schools and childcare settings will no longer be required to conduct on-site verification of screening of children, students, and staff.
Durham Relaxing
To align with provincial direction, the Health Department’s instructions for all enclosed (indoor) public spaces and common areas of apartment buildings and condominiums regarding the use of masks will be removed on March 21 and, as such, masks will not be required in these settings, said Dr. Kyle.
He said changes have also been made to the guidance related to isolation. If you have Covid-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has Covid-19, visit the Health Department’s Covid-19 Case and Contact Information Hub at durham.ca/covidinfohub or visit ontario.ca/exposed to determine what actions you should take. If you feel ill or are experiencing any symptoms, it remains important that you stay home and do not expose others to the risk of becoming ill. Even though schools and childcare settings will no longer be required to conduct verification of screening, parents should continue to screen their children for symptoms daily and keep them home if they are unwell.