Masks still a suggestion, not mandated, in Eastern Ontario as hospitals get flooded

With a surge in respiratory virus cases in Eastern Ontario, health officials are considering whether mask mandates need to make a comeback.

The stance of the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is that it suggests mask use when you go out.

That’s the same message from health units around the area.

Local medical officers of health are watching the trends, but have yet to make mask-use mandatory.

As for the province, Premier Doug Ford is taking direction from the province’s top doctor, who also recommends mask use but has not suggested it be mandated just yet.