Ontario set to lift COVID-19 measures by March, including mask mandate

Ontario is set to lift all COVID-19 public health measures by the end of March, including mask mandates.

Premier Doug Ford said Ontario is in a position to do that thanks to the province's careful approach to re-opening and the resulting stability seen in case counts, hospitalizations and ICU admissions.

"We're here because we stayed cautious," he said. "We stayed disciplined and we never underestimated this virus. We look to other countries, other provinces, there could be no question that this was and is the right approach."

The province said it will be assessing key public health and health-system indicators -- including the identification of new COVID-19 variants and increases in hospitalizations -- in the coming months to ensure restrictions can be lifted safely.

"I'm going to be super cautious," Ford said. "If we do not see numbers in a stable place we just aren't going to do it."

But Ontarians need to see benefits for all the hard work they have done in controlling the pandemic to this point, Ford said.

The easing of restrictions will start Monday, with capacity limits lifted in restaurants, bars, gyms, casinos and indoor meeting and event spaces.