Deputy Clerk Nadine Bennett presented news from the Emergency Control Group during Smiths Falls’ Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night. Bennett noted that March 11, just past, marks two years since the World Health Organization declared the spread of the Covid-19 virus a pandemic.

The province is moving toward reopening and lifting pandemic restrictions.

As of Monday, March 14, mandatory vaccines for employees in care homes and health care settings are lifted, and unvaccinated workers are no longer required to undergo regular rapid testing for Covid-19. 

Starting March 21, mandatory vaccines will no longer be required in the education sector, and cohorting requirements will be lifted at school. Schools will no longer be required to perform on-site symptom screening. As of that date, the public will no longer be mandated to wear masks in public spaces, but will be encouraged to do so. As well, Bennett noted that Ontarians will be encouraged “to be respectful of those who make a choice to continue to wear masks or not.”

There are currently 142 Ontario municipalities still under a State of Emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic, including Smiths Falls.

Article by Janelle Labelle