KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF ONTARIO’S NEXT PHASE OF REOPENING

March 14

COVID vaccination polices end in a wide variety of settings. These policies required disclosure of vaccination status as well as education and regular testing for the unvaccinated. A number of organizations went further and required COVID-19 shots. Hamilton’s hospitals plan to keep mandatory vaccination. McMaster University and Mohawk College will stick with their policies until at least the end of the semester. Hamilton Police Service is getting rid of its policy, while the mayor said he expects the city will move forward with required shots. Hamilton’s school boards have not yet indicated their plans.

Remove mandatory vaccination requirements for staff, students, volunteers and visitors at longterm-care homes. Individual homes can keep the policy.

March 21

Masking requirements end in most settings, including schools. Mandatory masks remain in transit, seniors’ homes, hospitals, other healthcare settings, shelters, jails and congregate living. Those returning from international travel must mask for 14 days as required by the federal government. It is not clear what will happen with Hamilton’s masking bylaw, which is being reviewed. The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board is also reviewing its motion requiring masking for kindergarten to Grade 3.

Other measures in schools lift, including cohorting and daily on-site screening.

Requirements for businesses removed, such as passive screening and safety plans.

March 28

Reopening Ontario Act expires. Emergency orders under the act remain for 30 days more.

April 27

Masking requirements lift in all settings except for federal international travel rules.

Any remaining emergency orders under the Reopening Ontario Act expire.

A number of directives from Ontario’s chief medical officer of health lift, including precautions for health-care workers caring for COVID patients and measures to keep seniors’ homes safe from virus spread. These directives are expected to be replaced by provincial guidance and requirements by individual organizations.

Changes for contacts of COVID cases

No isolation required for nonhousehold close contacts of cases.

For household contacts, no isolation for adults who have had three doses of a COVID vaccine or two doses for those under age 18. Also no requirements for those who have tested positive in the last 90 days. Household contacts who don’t fall into these categories must isolate for 10 days from last exposure.

All close contacts should monitor for symptoms, wear a mask, avoid visiting those vulnerable to COVID and stay away from high-risk settings for 10 days after exposure.