On March 19, 2020, the Ontario Government introduced Bill 186
(An Act to amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000) (the
“Infectious Disease Leave Amendment”) to
introduce a new job protected unpaid leave of absence in relation
to a designated infectious disease. Currently, the following
diseases are designated infectious diseases for the purpose of this
leave of absence: “Diseases caused by a novel coronavirus,
including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Coronavirus (COVID-19).”
The unpaid leave of absence can be accessed by an employee, if
the employee will not be performing the duties of his or her
position because of one or more of the following reasons related to
a designated infectious disease:
