COVID-19 Restrictions Ease across Canada

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As COVID-19 infections and ICU admissions trend downward across Canada, provincial governments have laid out their plans to ease restrictions and public health measures.  In this article we will consider the changes in Ontario in depth and summarize announced changes in other provinces that apply generally. Exceptions or industry specific requirements for other provinces are not addressed.

Ontario

Effective February 17, 2022, the following capacity limits are lifted as follows:

• No capacity limits on outdoor events. Indoor public events are limited to 50 people.
• No capacity limits in indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required (restaurants, bars, sports and recreational facilities, gyms, cinemas, meeting and event spaces, and gaming establishments).
• 25% capacity limits in nightclubs and bathhouses.
• 50% capacity limits at sports arenas, concert venues and theatres.
• Maximum capacity limits in grocery stores, pharmacies, retail, and shopping malls where 2 meters physical distancing is maintained

Effective March 1, 2022, Ontario will eliminate proof of vaccination requirements and all remaining capacity limits. Masking requirements will remain in place and businesses may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination. On February 25, 2022, Regulation 100/22 was published confirming that all public health units are moving to the Roadmap Exit Step under Regulation 364/20 effective March 1, 2020.

Also on February 25, 2022, Regulation 99/22 amended Regulation 364/20 to eliminate the requirement under the Roadmap Exit Step that employers follow the recommendations of local Medical Officers of Health regarding the implementation of vaccination policies. This means that effective March 1, 2022, most provincially regulated Ontario employers are no longer required to have a vaccination policy. This does not mean that existing vaccination policies are invalid or need to be revoked.

Vaccine requirements in long-term care (LTC) homes retirement homes (RH), hospitals and community health will remain in place in accordance with the Directives and letters of instruction issued by the Minister of Long-Term Care and Chief Medical Officer of Health. Currently, those requirements are as follows:

• Unless subject to a valid medical exemption, anyone working or volunteering at a LTCH home is required to show proof they have two doses. Proof of a third dose will also be required by March 14, 2022 unless the person is unable to receive a third dose by that date due to the timing of their second dose.  See the Minister’s Directive:  Long-term care home COVID-19 immunization policy.  RHs must comply with the Letter of Instructions issued by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
• Healthcare service providers, including public hospitals and community health care providers are required under Directive # 6 to implement a COVID-19 vaccination policy requiring proof of vaccination or regular antigen testing.

Alberta

Alberta has announced a three-step plan to eliminate COVID-19 restrictions.

• Step 1 – On February 9, 2022, Alberta will eliminate its vaccine mandate and some capacity limits.
• Step 2 – On March 1, 2022, if hospitalizations are trending downwards, Alberta will eliminate capacity limits at large venues, mandatory work-from home requirements and indoor masking.
• Step 3 – On a date yet unknown, Alberta will eliminate mandatory isolation, though it will still be recommended.

British Columbia

Effective February 17, 2022, British Columbia will have full capacity:

• In indoor and outdoor organized events
• In restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs
• In gyms

Mask and vaccine requirements will remain, and will be reviewed in March or April.

Manitoba

Effective February 15, 2022:

• Capacity limits are removed for outdoor public gatherings. Indoor gatherings are limited to 50 people unless proof of vaccination is required.
• Self-isolation requirements are removed for people entering the province.

Nova Scotia

Effective February 14, 2022, Nova Scotia will begin the first of a three-phase plan to ease COVID-10 measures:

• All border restrictions for domestic travellers are lifted.
• 50% capacity limits for business events, sports events, performances, and movie theatres.
• Retails business can operate at maximum capacity with physical distancing and masks.
• 75% capacity limits for fitness, recreation and leisure businesses and organizations.

Restrictions will be further eased in Phases 2 and 3.

Prince Edward Island

PEI has announced a three-step plan to ease COVID-19 measures.

• Step 1: Effective February 17, 2022:
• • 50% capacity for organized gatherings with physical distancing.
  • 50% capacity for restaurants, fitness facilities and retail with physical distancing.
  • No isolation requirements for fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the province, subject to testing.
• Step 2: Around March 1, 2022:
• • 75% capacity for organized gatherings with maximum physical distancing.
  • 75% capacity for restaurants, fitness facilities and retail, and other venues with maximum physical distancing.
  • PEI Vax Pass in effect for applicable activities and gatherings of over 200 people.
  • Testing for travellers will continue.
• Step 3: Around April 7, 2022:
  • No masking required in indoor places.
  • No testing or screening at points of entry.
  • No capacity limits.

Quebec

Changes to COVID-19 measures will proceed as follows:

• February 14, 2022: maximum of 5,000 people at outdoor events with a vaccine passport. 50% capacity at gyms with masks and physical distancing.
• February 21, 2022: no capacity limits on retail and shopping malls. 50% capacity up to a maximum of 500 people at conventions with a vaccine passport.
• February 28, 2022: no capacity limits in indoor auditoriums or sports arenas that hold less than 10,000 with a vaccine passport. 50% capacity at venues with more than 10,000 people. Offices can begin hybrid work. Bars, taverns, and casinos can reopen.
• March 14, 2022: no capacity limits and no vaccine passport required.

Saskatchewan

Effective February 14, 2022, no proof of vaccination (or negative COVID-19 test) requirement at businesses, workplaces, and other public venues. Mask mandates will continue until the end of February.

As noted above, the easing of restrictions referenced in this article outside of Ontario are general.  Employers in the industries and sectors where special rules apply should check the specific requirements applicable to their businesses or organizations.