Ontario to drop most mask mandates on March 21, 2022, all measures on April 27, ‎‎2022‎

The Government of Ontario recently announced its plans to remove mandatory masking requirements for most indoor settings by March 21, 2022, including the majority of workplaces in Ontario. Mandatory masking requirements will only remain in effect for select settings such as public transit, health care settings, long-term care homes and congregate care settings.

This move is in support of Ontario’s “New Plan” to remove all remaining public health and workplace safety measures related to COVID-19 by April 27, 2022. This process began with the vaccine passport requirements and capacity limits being lifted in workplaces in Ontario on March 1, 2022.

 On March 21, 2022, the following COVID-19 related measures impacting workplaces in Ontario will be lifted or modified:

• Masking requirements will be removed in most settings, with the exception of public transit, long-term care and ‎retirement homes, health-care settings, congregate care settings, shelters and jails.‎
• Remaining regulatory requirements for businesses will be removed, including passive screening ‎and the need to have a COVID-19 safety plan.‎

Businesses will still be required to act in compliance with any advice, recommendations and instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, including any advice, recommendations and instructions on physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting. It is unclear whether new advice and recommendations from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health will be published to reflect the easing restrictions. Currently, it is recommended that businesses ensure all employees are able to maintain at least two metres distance when in the workplace.

On April 27, 2022, the government of Ontario plans to lift all remaining COVID-19 related restrictions in the province.

Please note that the measures introduced by Ontario’s New Plan remain subject to the improvement and stabilization of key health indicators such as hospitalization rates and vaccination rates.

For further information and assistance navigating the requirements of a post-pandemic world, please consult our Coronavirus Resource Centre or contact any of the members of the DLA Piper Canadian Employment and Labour Law Service Group listed here.

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