Required Face Coverings and Employee Medical Exemptions
In our recent Media Release, Face Coverings Required at Local Businesses, it was stated that effective July 10, 2020, policies must be in place to ensure that individuals entering indoor commercial premises are wearing non-medical masks/face coverings. Certain exemptions may apply to ensure that no individual is excluded from society if they are unable to wear a face covering.
In response to this release, we have received various questions regarding medical exemptions for employees, and in return, we offer the following guidance:
- With respect to the new public health measures instructions, a physician/care provider note is not required to document a medical contraindication to mask use between employees and employers. Employers are instructed to accept declared medical contraindications to mask use from employees in good faith.
- The exception to this is in cases where mask use in the workplace is specifically addressed in provincial directives from the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Province of Ontario including but not limited to Directive #3 for Long-Term Care Homes.
For further clarification regarding the new instructions, please visit our Face Coverings at Commercial Establishments – Questions and Answers page.
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