Employers that are eager to loosen the masking requirements in Ontario may do so on March 21, provided they are not employers in the select settings where masking must continue. On March 21, employers will also be relieved of the requirements to passively screen individuals entering their premises, and to prepare, post, and make available a written COVID-19 safety plan.
On April 27, all employers eager to loosen masking requirements will be free to do so.
Employers should note, however, that despite the easing of these public health requirements, they:
-Should not prevent individuals who wish to continue to wear a mask in the workplace from doing so;
-May continue to require or encourage their employees to wear masks in the workplace, passively screen individuals entering their premises, and prepare, post, and make their COVID-19 safety plans available; and
-Must operate in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its Regulations, including in accordance with the requirement under OHSA to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.
