The COVID-19 paid leave program will be in effect a little longer than originally planned.

The Worker Income Protection Benefit Program, which provides paid sick days, is being extended until Jul. 31, 2022.

Ontario first introduced COVID-19 days in Apr. 2021. With this extension, employers will have 120 days after their employees are paid to submit their application to the Worker Income Protection Benefit Program.

Workers in the province have taken over 515,000 paid leave days since the entitlement was introduced.

“Nearly a quarter-million workers have already used our program, which is the first and most comprehensive in the country, for paid time off work,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “Our government is working for workers and ensuring they have the support they need to keep themselves and their families safe.”

The idea of the program is to ensure workers have more opportunities to take time off work if they need to get tested for COVID-19, self-isolate, care for a family member, or get themselves or their children vaccinated.

So far the average number of days being claimed per employee is two. According to a release from the province, the program has helped over 235,000 people “stay safe without worrying about losing pay.”

Employers or employees looking for more information can go here.