Windsor Regional Hospital is preparing for a possible increase in respiratory illness.
Starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, all WRH employees, professional staff, and volunteers will be required to wear masks within two metres of a patient.
"Additional personal protective equipment, such as gowns and eye protection, may be required for specific patients, or when a unit is experiencing an outbreak," read a release from the hospital. "Signage will be posted to inform anyone who needs to enter these rooms or units about any additional PPE requirements."
The hospital also recommends that visitors mask up within two metres of a patient, though visitors are not required to do so. However, WRH strongly recommends that masks be worn in the emergency department, at the cancer centre, and in dialysis.
"We continue to support individuals who choose to wear a mask at any time," read the release. "Any individual who puts on a mask should use a hospital-issued mask. Masks will be provided at hospital entrances."