The Listowel Wingham Hospitals Alliance and the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance announced Wednesday that masking will no longer be mandatory in most clinical areas of their hospitals.
The facilities say masking is still welcome, but it will only be required in select areas of the hospital, including emergency departments and spaces treating people suffering from respiratory infection.
The HPHA says the changes were made with partner hospitals throughout the South West Region, and based upon the most recent Public Health Ontario guidance.
Medical grade masks will continue to be provided at masking stations throughout hospital sites.
“Masks continue to be a key tool for infection prevention and control,” said Erica Jensen, Manager of Quality, Patient Safety and Infection Control. “We encourage anyone who wishes to wear a mask to do so to help protect themselves and their loved ones.”
The hospitals remind visitors that universal masking may be reintroduced based on disease activity, during respiratory season, and for outbreak management.
