The broad legal requirements for mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies in places like schools, long-term care homes, and hospitals in Ontario end today, Monday.

As part of the first phase in the province’s gradual exit from most COVID-19 measures over the next 45 days, a set of requirements ends today for schools, community care settings, and hospitals that have COVID-19 vaccination policies and mandatory testing for unvaccinated staff.

The province also stated that all facilities can keep their own policies if they choose to do so.

The affected sectors will continue to receive supplies of rapid antigen tests, and health care and care staff and residents remain eligible for free PCR testing.

Also as of Monday, the province is easing visitor rules in long-term care homes.

Unvaccinated children under the age of five are now allowed to visit residents there. Unvaccinated residents will now be allowed to go out for visits.

The number of visitors each long-term care resident can receive at one time will increase to four visitors.

The government said in a statement explaining the changes: "Testing requirements will continue for all staff, caregivers, and visitors."