Based upon the most recent Public Health of Ontario (PHO) guidance, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is amending its masking policy for patients, visitors, staff, physicians and volunteers who enter a CKHA hospital site and/or facility effective Monday, June 12, 2023.
“Effective today, CKHA will no longer require patients, families and visitors to wear masks at its hospital sites and/or facilities,” hospital officials said in a media release.
“Masking in waiting rooms and lounges in high-risk areas such as Oncology, Dialysis and the Emergency Department continues to be encouraged for visitors and patients but is no longer a requirement. It is important to note that patients exhibiting a fever or respiratory symptoms will still be required to wear a mask.”
Hospital officials added: “Staff, physicians, volunteers, students and contractors at CKHA will no longer be required to wear a mask in all areas of CKHA’s hospitals sites and/or facilities; this is inclusive of both clinical and non-clinical areas. Masking in high-risk areas such as Oncology, Dialysis and the Emergency Department continues to be encouraged but is no longer required. Staff and physicians working in clinical areas will use an assessment to determine what personal protective equipment (PPE) they need when interacting with patients. The assessment considers various factors such as the patient’s condition, environment and circumstances.”
Near the outset of the pandemic, mandatory masking within all areas of the hospital was implemented to slow transmission of the COVID-19 virus, CKHA officials say.
“In April 2023, amendments were made to CKHA’s masking policy as recommended by PHO and in line with other hospitals in the region,” hospital officials said.
“At that time, the significant change required staff and physicians to wear a mask only when within 2 metres of a patient unless a physical barrier was present, with a few exceptions for high-risk patients. This change was intended to be a step towards pre-pandemic practices. After the intended re-evaluation period, many hospitals across Ontario are returning to pre-pandemic masking practices.”
While masks will no longer be mandatory, CKHA will continue to support all patients, visitors, staff and physicians if they wish to wear a mask in any CKHA hospital and/or facility, hospital officials added.
“Medical grade masks will continue to be available at public entrances of both the Chatham and Wallaceburg sites,” CKHA officials say.
CKHA’s COVID-19 policies and practices are subject to ongoing evaluation in relation to the spread of COVID-19.
CKHA will revisit and adjust these policies if necessary, always adhering to provincial guidance and relying on the expertise of subject matter experts, hospital officials say.
