The South Bruce Grey Health Centre has updated their masking policy.
As of April 24, universal masking will no longer be required at SBGHC’s hospital sites, which include Chesley, Durham, Kincardine, and Walkerton. However, masks are still recommended for all patients and visitors.
Masks will remain a requirement for patients and visitors in the Emergency Department waiting room, treatment rooms, in-patient rooms, and for patients with any cough, cold or fever. Visitors are asked not to visit any hospital if they are feeling unwell.
Masks will remain available for patients and visitors who prefer to continue to wear a mask while in the hospital. The SBGHC notes that masking policies may change depending on respiratory disease circulation in the community, including COVID-19, or to prevent hospital capacity from being overwhelmed.
The Huron-Perth Healthcare Alliance also made similar changes to their masking policy.
As of April 24. masking will still be required when people are in any clinical area of HPHA hospitals and recommended, but not required, in non-clinical areas. Hospital-provided medical grade masks will continue to be provided with masking stations set up throughout HPHA hospital sites, not just at entrances.
“Masks continue to be a key tool for infection prevention and control,” sais Erica Jensen, Manager Quality, Patient Safety and Infection Control. “But with risks being lower right now, due to the fact that the vast majority of Ontarians have been either vaccinated or exposed to the virus, our masking guidelines can be relaxed slightly.”
Masking is required in all clinical areas where patient care is provided. This includes: -Inpatient Units -Emergency Departments -Outpatient Clinics -Imaging -Lab -Waiting Rooms
Masking is recommended, but not required, in public spaces and non-clinical areas. This includes: -Hallways -Elevators -Cafeterias -Meeting Rooms -Administrative Offices
Additionally, the Listowel Wingham Hospital Alliance has updated their masking policy, too. The LWHA will also still require masking in "critical care" areas, such as inpatient units, emergency departments, outpatient clinics, imaging, labs and waiting rooms. Visitors will be required to wear a mask when visiting a patient in their room, as well. Mandatory masking is no longer required in non-critical care areas like cafeterias, elevators, hallways or meeting rooms.
Hanover and District Hospital also released a statement regarding updates to their masking policy. The release reads as follows:
"All symptomatic patients must be masked upon entry of the hospital and no visitors who are symptomatic will be permitted. Masks are required for patient/health care worker interactions and at the patient’s bedside including the Emergency Department and waiting room, Inpatient Unit, Dialysis, Outpatient Clinics, Laboratory and Diagnostic Imaging," according to the HDH statement. "Masks are optional, but recommended in areas like hallways, cafeteria, meeting rooms, administrative offices, the gift shop and most waiting rooms. With these changes to the masking policy, the front entrance has now been opened and can be accessed. Please remember to wash your hands upon entry to the hospital."