Dr. Jim Chirico, the medical officer of health for the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit says it is important the choices of individuals are respected when it comes to wearing face coverings as the March 21 date to lift some provincial masking mandates approaches.
"We hope that people will be supportive of those who choose to wear a mask or choose not to wear a mask," Chirico said. "There are many people who have to continue to take precautions for health reasons."
Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health announced earlier this week most masking mandates would end in most places, including in schools, as of March 21.
See related: Most mask mandates end March 21, other COVID-19 changes coming
Dr. Kieran Moore advised this next phase of easing public health measures will see cohorting and daily on-site screening lifted in schools. And, all other regulatory requirements for businesses will be removed, including passive COVID-19 screening and safety plans.
See also: Near North Board still assessing mask mandate
And: Lifting of mask mandate to follow provincial lead for City of North Bay employees, facilities
Masking will continue to be required in long-term care, retirement homes and other health-care settings; shelters; jails; congregate care and living settings, including homes for individuals with developmental disabilities; and, on public transit.
"Things are moving in the right direction. We are learning to live with COVID," said Chirico. "Look at your own personal risk and whether or not you need to be taking some precautions and wearing a mask."
Meanwhile, in response to Moore's announcement, Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, the medical officer of health for the neighbouring Public Health Sudbury & Districts continues to strongly recommend the use of masks in indoor public settings to protect against COVID-19 infection.
"Despite recent promising trends in local COVID-19 metrics, the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is still circulating widely and the risk of infection and risk to our health care system has not passed," stated Sutcliffe in a PHSD release. "This is why I am strongly recommending that people continue to wear masks when in indoor crowded spaces, and especially if they have higher personal health risks or if their close circle includes those who are vulnerable to severe infection."
While positive COVID-19 cases in highest risk settings such as hospitals and long-term care and retirement homes continue to receive full case and contact management, cases outside high-risk settings have mainly been directed to and supported by updated Ministry of Health online resources to help them understand what they need to do by way of self-isolation and informing household and other close contacts. This important provincial guidance is available here.
Dr. Carol Zimbalatti, a local public health physician agreed with Chirico's guidance on continued masking for some.
"Because personal circumstances differ, as provincial mandates and restrictions are lifted, it is important that we continue to be COVID-kind and support decisions made by individuals regarding additional protective measures they may continue to use against COVID-19," said Zimbalatti. "Individual decision-making based on knowledge of the risks becomes even more important as public health mandates and requirements continue to be lifted."
In the Sudbury area, "The pandemic is not over, and our area continues to have higher COVID rates compared with the province," observed Sutcliffe. "With the provincial direction for the March 21 removal of masking mandates for most settings, along with the removal of screening and safety plan requirements for businesses, I am reminding people in our area that masking remains a simple and effective tool to protect yourself and those around you."
In North Bay–Parry Sound, Chirico remains upbeat about the district's response to the pandemic.
"We're transitioning. We're learning to live with COVID. We're still seeing some cases but the important thing is we're not seeing significant hospital admissions that we can't deal with," Chirico said during the local Health Unit's most recent media availability.
