Ontario's mask rules have been some of the longest-running, but despite saying just weeks ago that they would keep mandating face coverings in public indoor spaces "for some time to come," the province's leaders have changed their stance in recent weeks as we leave remaining COVID restrictions behind.

And now, an end date has finally been set, according to insider sources.

Health Minister Christine Elliottsaid last monththat her team would be sticking to its original reopening timelines — which notablymade no mention of mask mandates— with no plans to drop the garment or vaccine passports anytime soon, even though other provinces were starting to do so.

Premier Doug Ford had likewise agreed that such protocolswould not be loosening anytime soon, though thetemporary measurewould be lifted "eventually."

Ontario just released new details about lifting mask mandateshttps://t.co/gURdiwgI80#Ontario

— blogTO (@blogTO)February 25, 2022

But then, amidcalls to follow in the footstepsof Saskatchewan and Alberta, the provincedecided to shed the proof-of-vaccination systemway sooner than planned,on March 1.

As Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore then reported some hopeful trends of key health indicators, healso hinted thatresidents could do away with masking as soon as two weeks after the onset of phase 3 of reopening, which would be in just a few days from now, on March 15.

In a press conference last week, Moore then reiterated that the rule would be nixedby the end of March, something that sources have now corroborated with an ultimate date of 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 21.

Are you ready to remove your mask? The Province is expected to announce mask mandates will end on March 21. Ontario Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kieran Moore will provide public update at 11:00 a.m. Listen live on Citynews680:https://t.co/JpAVKNGDzA

— carl hanstke (@carlCityNews)March 9, 2022

At this time, mask mandates in retail stores, bars and restaurants, schools, and "most" settings will be eliminated, the sources say,per the CBC.

The date also coincides with the end of March Break and students' return to classrooms.

An official announcement on the topic is expected from Ford and his team later on Wednesday, when final details will be revealed.