Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario (2022)

The following is a timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada, during the year 2022. It details significant events, policy changes, public health measures, and other relevant occurrences related to the pandemic's progression in the province.

January:

• January 3: Ontario moves back to Step Two of its Roadmap to Reopen plan. This includes closing indoor dining, gyms, and theatres, and reducing capacity limits for retail settings. Schools are switched to online learning. The changes are implemented in response to a surge in Omicron variant cases.
• January 5: The province announces changes to PCR testing eligibility, prioritizing testing for high-risk individuals and settings. The general public is advised to rely on rapid antigen tests.
• January 10: Schools are initially scheduled to return to in-person learning on January 17th.
• January 20: The return to in-person learning is delayed to January 24th.
• January 31: Ontario begins to gradually ease restrictions, including increasing capacity limits for some businesses.

February:

• February 17: Most capacity limits are lifted as part of a further easing of restrictions. Proof of vaccination requirements remain in place for some settings.
• February 28: Ontario ends its proof of vaccination requirements for most settings.

March:

• March 14: Mask mandates are lifted in most indoor settings, including schools, retail stores, and restaurants.
• March 21: The remaining emergency orders under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020 are revoked.

April:

• April: A rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations is observed, driven by the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron.

May:

• May: The province expands eligibility for fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to certain high-risk individuals.

June:

• June 2: The Chief Medical Officer of Health recommends continued masking in high-risk indoor settings despite the absence of a mandate.
• June 11: Remaining mask mandates in high-risk settings (including public transit, long-term care, and hospitals) are extended.

July:

• July: The province expands eligibility for fourth doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to all adults aged 18 and older.

August:

• August 31: The remaining mask mandates in high-risk settings, including public transit, long-term care, and hospitals, are set to expire.

September:

• September 1: The mask mandate for high-risk settings is lifted, although organizations can still choose to require masking. Updated COVID-19 vaccines targeting Omicron variants become available.

October:

• October: Public health officials encourage Ontarians to get their updated COVID-19 boosters and flu shots in advance of the fall and winter seasons.

November:

• November: Continued promotion of COVID-19 booster vaccinations and influenza vaccinations amidst concerns about a potential surge in respiratory illnesses.

December:

• December: Monitoring of COVID-19 trends and promotion of public health measures such as staying home when sick, practicing hand hygiene, and considering wearing masks in crowded indoor settings.
• December 31: The province continues to monitor COVID-19 activity and adapt its approach as needed. Public health officials continue to urge vaccination.