Province lifts mask mandate for hospitals, Headwaters to keeping it in place

Headwaters Health Care Centre president and CEO, Kim Delahunt released the following statement last Friday (June 10) regarding the hospital's decision to maintain mask requirements after the mandate expired last Saturday (June 11).

“While masking requirements in other high-risk areas like public transit will expire on June 11, 2022, hospitals in Ontario Health's Central region have confirmed their commitment to keep patients, staff, visitors, volunteers and vendors safe through a continuation of the masking requirement within these facilities.  

“Health experts have agreed that continued use of masking in hospital settings remains a simple and necessary safeguard. Masking helps prevent the most vulnerable patients from contracting COVID-19. It can also prevent transmission of COVID-19 to health-care providers, keeping people healthy and at work. Hospitals across the province are challenged with Health Human Resources and all efforts must be made to prevent further transmission of COVID-19 within hospitals. 

“This direction aligns with a statement provided June 8, 2022 by the Ontario Hospital Association that recommended that the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Order regarding mandatory masking for patients, caregivers, visitors and other members of the public in hospital settings, issued under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, be maintained. 

“At Headwaters, we will also be maintaining current active screening requirements and visitor restrictions until we plan for any other changes. We will continue to monitor and evaluate practices in place, in collaboration with our Central Region hospital partners. 

“This means that even after June 11, 2022, anyone entering the hospital will still be required to be screened and wear a medical grade mask. This is consistent with recent guidance issued by Public Health Ontario. 

“Thank you for all that you do to protect yourselves and our patients each and every day.”