Key Takeaways:
- Ontario’s top health officer dismisses criticism over his decision to appear in public uncovered.
- In an interview with CP24 on Thursday, Moore argued that he did nothing wrong, pointing out that the news conference was not held in a public place.
- During a press conference, other public figures, such as the prime minister, have returned from international travel without wearing a mask.
After returning from a personal trip abroad to the country, Ontario’s top health official is shrugging aside criticism over his decision to go uncovered during a press appearance.
Dr. Kieran Moore, the Chief Medical Officer of Health, had come under fire on social media for not wearing a mask during a news conference on Monday when he spoke with reporters for the 1st time in more than a month about the pandemic.
Moore’s detractors have claimed that he was breaking federal guidelines that compel those returning from abroad to wear masks in public for 14 days by going without a mask.
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However, Moore insisted he did nothing illegal in an interview with CP24 on Thursday, pointing out that the press conference was not held in a public location.
“I keep a safe distance, screen every day, and am inoculated with four doses. For the press conference, I removed the mask. I understand that wearing a mask in a press conference is challenging, but I want to remind people that Queen’s Park is not a public environment,” he remarked.
“The law in the United States requires you to wear a mask in a public place, but that was only for members of the press; the vast majority of people I saw were masked.”
Other public persons, such as the prime minister, have returned from international travel without wearing a mask during a press conference.
Despite the relaxation of other similar limitations on people returning from vacations abroad, the masking regulation remains in force at the federal level. The administration has not stated when the limitation will be lifted or how it will be implemented.
Moore’s recent vacation came as pressure mounted on him to speak to Ontarians about the pandemic’s sixth wave.
When Moore was out of the country last week, Premier Doug Ford was questioned about his absence but refused to admit that Ontario’s top doctor was taking a break.
On the other hand, Ford supported Moore’s work ethic, saying, “He is on the job 24/7 looking at the data, looking at the stats.”
Ford defended his handling of the situation during a press conference earlier on Thursday, saying that he “was honest” and that Moore often corresponded with him and Minister of Health Christine Elliott throughout his trip.
“From what I hear, he was working there all the time,” he stated. “I appreciate everything Dr. Moore has done for me.” He’s a hard worker who does an excellent job.”
Source: CTV news
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