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As a time-limited pandemic measure, the Ontario government introduced paid COVID-19 leave, a program designed to support people who needed to take time off work to isolate or get vaccinated.
It will expire effective March 31, 2023, consistent with the sunset date for this program given Ontario has now achieved one of the highest vaccination rates in the world.
Eligible employers are still entitled to be reimbursed the amount of infectious disease emergency leave pay that they paid to their employees, up to $200 per employee per day taken, through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. However, eligible employers must make their application within 120 days of the date the employer paid the employee, or by July 29, 2023, whichever is earlier.
Please note that unpaid infectious disease emergency leave continues to be available to eligible employees if they are not performing the duties of their position for certain reasons related to COVID-19.
If you need help understanding your responsibilities and rights under the ESA, you can:
- Visit Ontario.ca/COVIDworkerbenefit or the infectious disease emergency leave chapter in Your guide to the Employment Standards Act at Ontario.ca/ESAguide.
- Call the Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit Information Centre at 1-888-999-2248 or TTY (for hearing impaired) at 1-866-567-8893. Information is available in many languages.
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