Local officials will have decisions to make when the province lifts the masking requirement for businesses and organizations.
Waterloo Region has its own masking bylaws in place for businesses, public spaces and transit.
Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said the earliest regional council is scheduled to meet is two days after the provincial mandate will reportedly be lifted.
"Certainly, a sooner meeting could be called by the regional chair, but based on our existing schedule, the 23rd would be the earliest that we could do it," Vrbanovic said.
In an email, Regional Chair Karen Redman's office said the region anticipates "residents will value consistency with any provincial announcement around masking" and it anticipates "some businesses and organizations may choose to voluntarily ask for masking."
Redman confirms she has asked staff to organize a special meeting of council for next week to review the local masking bylaws.
The region's website indicates a special meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 16 at 5 p.m.
"It is important to me that we provide clarity and notice to residents and local businesses in advance of the Provincial mandate lifting on the 21st," Redman said in an email.
"Throughout the pandemic, Regional Council and Region of Waterloo Public Health have taken an evidence-based, pragmatic approach."
"I look forward to hearing input from the public, as well as the advice of our staff and Medical Officer of Health."
Vrbanovic noted people may feel they're at different points on their reopening journey.
He said, "I'm not sure I'll ever go on a long-haul flight without wearing a mask because I'm more comfortable that way, but certainly at other points, I'm more comfortable taking it off like in a restaurant. "
The mayor urged residents show tolerance as people make their own decisions.
"What all of us need to do is show grace and kindness towards each other as people choose whatever they feel safe with over the next while," Vrbanovic said.
He said he's confident the province is making the decision to end the mask mandate based on medical evidence.
Waterloo Region's and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph's medical officers of health have both put support behind the provincial move.
They have pointed out the risk with COVID isn't all gone, but it is lower at this time.
As of Wednesday, 85 per cent of Waterloo Region residents are fully vaccinated.
There are no active outbreaks in long-term care, and COVID-19 indicators continue to improve.
