On April 22, 2022, the Ontario government announced that the existing mask requirements for certain higher-risk indoor settings (“Mask Requirements”), as well as the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s Directives (“Directives”), will remain in effect until 12:00 a.m. on June 11, 2022. Previously, the provincial government planned to lift all remaining mask requirements on April 27, 2022.
Further details of the extension of the Mask Requirements and Directives are outlined in a Section 22 Class Order (the “Order”) issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Under this Order, an individual who enters any of the indoor settings included on the list must ensure that they are wearing a mask or face covering that covers the mouth, nose, and chin. The Mask Requirements will remain in place for the following non-exhaustive list of high-risk settings:
- public transit;
- health care settings (e.g., hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics, and home and community care);
- long-term care homes;
- licensees operating a children’s residence within the meaning of Part IX of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017;
- retirement homes; and
- shelters and other congregate care settings that provide care and services to medically and socially vulnerable individuals.
The Order provides a full list of indoor settings where the mask requirements will remain in effect until June 11, 2022.
Takeaways for Employers
Employers that operate in higher-risk indoor settings should ensure that they are enforcing the Mask Requirements while individuals attend their establishment or indoor setting until June 11, 2022, or until a new date is ordered.
We will continue to monitor for any new developments related to COVID-19 and post about any updates relevant for employers.