On March 1, 2022, all public health regions in Ontario moved to the Roadmap Exit Step under O. Reg 364/20 to the Reopening Ontario Act. Effective March 21, 2022 most of the remaining COVID-19 workplace requirements under this last step of the reopening plan are revoked. Specifically:
- Masks are no longer required in the indoor area of a business, except for specific workplaces such as retirement homes, hospitals, health care clinics, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, shelters, long-term care home, and on public transit.
- COVID-19 safety plans are no longer required.
- COVID-19 screening of employees and patrons is no longer required.
A business is still required to comply with any advice, recommendation or instructions issued by its local public health official prior to February 25, 2022 that relates to any of the above, except for any advice, recommendations or instructions related to vaccination policies. As such, a business is no longer required to have a vaccination policy, unless required under an existing or future direction or order from the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH). Further, any directive, policy or guidance issued to a long-term care home by the CHOH or Ministry of Long-Term Care continues to apply despite these amendments.
In addition, a business must continue to operate in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and, as such, must take proactive measures to address workplace health and safety risks, including if there is a specific risk related to COVID-19 (or any other infectious disease).
For assistance with any COVID-19 related matter, contact your Sherrard Kuzz LLP lawyer, or any member of the Sherrard Kuzz team at info@sherrardkuzz.com. We’ll respond promptly.
The information contained in this article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice, nor does accessing this information create a lawyer-client relationship. This article is current as of March 18 2022 and applies only to Ontario, Canada, or such other laws of Canada as expressly indicated. Information about the law is checked for legal accuracy as at the date the presentation/article is prepared but may become outdated as laws or policies change. For clarification or for legal or other professional assistance please contact Sherrard Kuzz LLP.