What Is the Mask Mandate in Ontario?

What is the Mask Mandate in Ontario?

The phrase “mask mandate Ontario” refers to rules requiring people to wear face masks in certain settings across the province. In this post, you’ll learn:

• Whether there is a mask mandate in Ontario now
• When the mask mandate began and when it was lifted
• What the rules were, and how they might affect your workplace (or you as an employee)
• Whether a mask mandate could come back in Ontario

Is There a Mask Mandate in Ontario Right Now?

Short answer: No.

• As of March 21, 2022, the provincial government removed mandatory masking in most indoor public and workplace settings.
• Some mask requirements remained in high-risk and congregate settings (e.g., health-care, long-term care, transit) until later.
• On June 11, 2022, most of the remaining provincial masking requirements were lifted, including on public transit and in hospitals (Government of Ontario).
• Employers and individual organisations still have discretion to require masks under workplace safety laws, even if there’s no province-wide mandate.

So, if you’re wondering “when did the mask mandate go into effect Ontario” or “when was mask mandate lifted Ontario,” the timeline below will help.

When Did Ontario’s Mask Mandate Go Into Effect?

The evolution of mask rules in Ontario:

• Local and municipal mask bylaws started appearing in mid-2020 (for example, in Toronto the mask bylaw took effect July 2020).
• The provincial government required masks in many indoor settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. The exact date for the first province-wide mandate varies by region, but masks became broadly required in 2020. The Wikipedia timeline lists October 2020 as a key mask mandate change.

When Was the Mask Mandate Lifted in Ontario?

Important dates:

• March 21, 2022: Most mandatory masks rules lifted in indoor public settings (gyms, restaurants, schools etc.).
• April 27, 2022: Targeted mask mandates in high-risk settings (health-care, congregate living) scheduled to end.
• June 11, 2022: Most remaining provincial mask requirements lifted (transit, hospitals etc.).

Could the Mask Mandate Come Back to Ontario?

Yes — while there’s no current blanket provincial mandate, it remains possible. Some considerations:

• The government has indicated that mandatory mask rules could be re-instated if new variants or high-risk conditions arise.
• Even without a provincial mandate, employers and organisations have the right (and in some cases duty) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) to require masks if they are a “reasonable precaution” in the workplace.
• Local health units or municipalities could impose their own mask requirements again in specific zones if needed.

What Does This Mean for Employers and Employees?

Here are key take-aways for the workplace:

• Employers: You may choose to maintain mask requirements even though the provincial mandate is gone. If you do, ensure your policy is clear, consistent and accommodates disabilities or other human-rights issues.
• Employees: Even when the mandate is lifted, you can still wear a mask if you feel safer doing so — and your employer may still enforce one.
• Workplace safety: Removing a provincial mandate doesn’t remove your employer’s obligation to take “reasonable precautions” under OHSA. In some work-spaces (medical, congregate living) mask rules may still apply.
• Communicate clearly: If your workplace changes mask policy (lifting or reinstating), communicate to staff, contractors and visitors about when & where masks are required, and whether exceptions apply.