The onset of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the latter part of 2021 prompted provincial governments across the country to tighten public health guidelines, which continued through the first months of 2022, so as to limit the spread of the virus. The Personal Protective Equipment Survey explores the evolution of private sector businesses' demand and supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) in January 2022.
Demand for PPE among businesses declined in January 2022 compared with August 2021. Even so, significantly more businesses were concerned about shortages of essential PPE compared with August 2021. As in August 2021, most shortage expectations were reported by businesses in the educational sector. Among the required types of PPE, businesses indicated an increased need for surgical masks, respirators, and COVID-19 rapid test kits in January 2022.
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