Ontario’s Mask Mandates
On March 21, 2022, Ontario’s mandatory mask requirements ended in most settings including schools, restaurants, bars, and gyms. This comes after COVID-19 cases in Ontario began to dwindle and so far, the public’s response to the mandate has been mostly positive. The Ontario government plans to lift all remaining COVID-19 restrictions as of April 27, 2022. This includes eliminating the mask mandate on public transit, in long-term care homes, in health care institutions, and in shelter settings.
Should Businesses Enforce Mask Mandates?
There seems to be a divide between Canadians who believe mask mandates should be in force, and those who do not. Despite the provincial government lifting the mask mandate, some business owners are keeping masking in place, as owners reserve the right to implement their own policies. Mainly because the virus remains a real concern for many, and some individuals who have other health problems are at a higher risk of developing severe consequences. However, policies such as mask mandates can drive Canadians who do not wish to mask away from said businesses. It is important for business owners to balance their ability to remain open, while taking the safety of their customers into consideration (in addition to government legislation/regulations). Business owners should seek independent legal advice on the different workplace policies and what they should consist of in order to manage the various concerns.
While some business owners are insisting that staff and customers still wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, other businesses are trying to strike a balance. For instance, Walmart and IKEA have made masking voluntary. Following the two years of mandatory masks, some of Ontario’s small business owners faced the setback of that implementation. For instance, some dealt with angry customers refusing to wear their masks. As a result, some business owners are avoiding enforcing mask mandates altogether.
Things To Consider
Throughout the past two years of the pandemic, there has been a lot of uncertainty. Ontario plans to lift all COVID-19 restrictions by April 27, 2022, and as such, business owners should remain aware of any changes or updates. It is also important to keep in mind that removing the mask mandate does not mean that the risk is gone. Despite the easing of restrictions soon, there is the possibility that Ontario’s government may need to resume mask-wearing if there is another spike in COVID-19 cases. Even with high vaccination rates, it will be up to business owners to decide whether they want to implement their own mask mandates, provided the government does not impose masking.
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