The government of the Canadian province of Ontario will scrap its proof of vaccination system as of March 1, Premier Doug Ford announced on Monday.

However, a mandate to wear face masks will remain and businesses and other social entities have the option of requiring proof of vaccination from the public.

"Ontario will also lift proof of vaccination requirements for all settings at this time. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination," the government said.

"Masking requirements will remain in place at this time, with a specific timeline to lift this measure to be communicated at a later date."

Authorities will also hasten the second of the region's three-phase plan to reopen the economy to February 17 rather than February 21.

Ford said Ontario was headed "in the right direction" and he was confident there will not be a reason for requiring three doses of vaccine in any sort of passport system if the region continued in that path.

The lifting of the health measures has been called for by demonstrators who have been occupying the nation's capital Ottawa, located in Ontario, for more than two weeks.

(With input from agencies)