Doug Ford says 'we aren't far away' from dropping Ontario's mask mandate

Ontario isn't far away from dropping the provincial mask mandate, but it won't do so until the top doctor approves it, Premier Doug Ford says.

Ford was asked about the mask mandate during a press conference on Monday about creating a minimum wage for gig workers in Ontario.

"We aren't far away, so let’s all continue working together," Ford said. "What I'm hearing (is) over the next few weeks, maybe after March Break."

While Ford mentioned after March Break as a potential timeline, he also said he isn't ready to "set a date."

Ford said "there's no secret" he wants to drop the mask mandate, but he'll wait for Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore to give his recommendation that it is safe to do so.