Ontario Gradually Resuming Surgeries and Procedures – Allowing Schools To Resume Extra-curricular Activities

Dr. Kieran Moore says COVID-19 related hospital admissions and patients continue to decline

TORONTO, ON, Feb. 10, 2022 — Today at a media conference Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health said that with the steady decline in COVID-19 related hospitalizations and ICU admissions in addition to stabilizing health human resources, the Ontario government is lifting Directive 2 to begin a gradual and cautious resumption of non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries and procedures across the province. In addition to this announcement, Dr. Moore said Ontario students will be able to resume extra-curricular activities such as high-contact sports.

As of Thursday Feb. 10, 2022 the number of patients in Ontario hospitals with COVID-19 has dropped to 1,897 as compared to peak hospitalizations in excess of 4,000 in mid-January.

“Thanks to the efforts of Ontarians to go out to get their booster dose and to adhere to current public health and workplace safety measures, the province has seen a recent steady decline in COVID-19 related hospitalizations and ICU admissions,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “While the months ahead will require continued vigilance, our hard work has allowed us to gradually and cautiously lift public health measures to let children and youth in schools participate in extra-curricular activities, and public hospitals to resume non-urgent surgeries and procedures.”

Resumption of non-emergent and non-urgent surgeries and procedures will follow a planned phased approach across the province, in alignment with guidance provided by Ontario Health. As these services cautiously resume, the province’s hospitals will continue to work in partnership to ensure that all regions have the capacity to resume services and no one is left behind, and when local conditions permit.

In addition, effective immediately, Ontario students can once again benefit from extra-curricular activities, including high-contact sports in schools. In alignment with advice from public health officials, layers of protection will remain in place to help limit the spread of COVID-19, including masking and daily on-site confirmation of screening. Students and other participants will be required to wear a mask while on school premises but may temporarily remove their mask where required, to enable active participation in activities such as playing basketball or musical instruments. Indoor curriculum-based programs including health and physical education and music, will continue with similar masking and other health and safety requirements in place.

“I have always believed that sports and extra-curriculars are an essential part of a student’s learning journey and support positive mental and physical health,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “That is why, with the full support of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, students can partake in extra-curricular high-contact sports and activities in Ontario schools. This will allow students to participate in activities like indoor basketball, volleyball, choir, and wind instrument ensembles – activities that help students become well-rounded leaders, build teamwork skills, and support the development of students.”

Moore also hinted at a bright light at the end of the tunnel, saying that the Omicron peak “is behind us.” He attributed this to the collective efforts of Ontarians following public health measures and the province’s high vaccination rates.

“It’s now time that we start focusing on resuming certain procedures in our health system as well as the other aspects within our society that improve our social and well-being… this means that we are actively planning what the future looks like and laying out timelines for what public health restrictions can be lifted and when,” said Dr. Moore.

“It’s clear that the situation in Ontario today as it relates to COVID-19 is different than when [restrictions like] proof of vaccination and the masking requirements were first introduced. With this in mind we are looking at the plan to consider when we can recommend to government what additional measures can be eased. This includes keeping our masks on for a while longer and with high vaccine coverage planning for when proof of vaccination can be discontinued,” said Dr. Moore.

When asked about vaccine passports and masking, Dr. Moore said all public health measures are being reviewed in the coming days with recommendations to government coming as early as next week.

Dr. Moore also stressed that the provincial decisions are all based on following the data and not any external pressures (like those coming from the recent ongoing trucker protests).

In terms of timelines for easing of more restrictions, Dr. Moore said although the province is currently planning to lift capacity limits in indoor settings that require proof of vaccination as of Feb. 21 followed by removing all capacity limits by March 14, things could happen faster.

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