Message from the Chief Safety Officer

Updates to Provincial COVID-19 mask mandates and isolation requirements

Last week, the Province announced changes to its isolation and masking requirements. While masking will no longer be required in many settings, effective March 21, masks are still required on public transit, including the TTC, and while working at TTC locations. Along with other high-risk settings, such as healthcare, long-term care and retirement homes, masks will be required on public transit until at least April 27.

The Province has also updated its guidance on isolation requirements for close contacts of those who are COVID-19 positive or are experiencing symptoms. The key changes include the following:

• For non-household contacts, no isolation is required if the employee remains asymptomatic.

• For household contacts, no isolation is required for employees who have received a

booster shot or those who have recently tested positive in the last 90 days (based on positive rapid antigen test or molecular test results).

These changes will impact the TTC. In all scenarios outlined above, for 10 days following exposure, contacts should self-monitor for symptoms, wear a mask in public, not visit anyone with a high risk of illness and not visit highest risk settings (e.g. hospitals, long-term care and retirement homes, shelters). Please continue to report COVID-19 symptoms to your Manager/Supervisor and follow the updated isolation requirements.

Although these changes are signs that we are moving in the right direction, it is important to remember that the pandemic is still with us. Please remember to follow all workplace safety protocols.

We have come very far together over the past two years, and together we will hopefully put COVID-19 behind us.

Stay safe.

Betty Hasserjian
Chief Safety Officer (acting)
March 14, 2022

Refer to the March 14 workplace Safety Notice for more details.