Chatham-Kent Health Alliance officials have removed its masking rules for its two hospitals.
Officials said the decision is based on the most recent guidelines from Public Health Ontario.
As a result, effective today, CKHA will no longer require patients, families and visitors to wear masks at its hospital sites and/or facilities.
Masking in waiting rooms and lounges in high-risk areas such as oncology, dialysis and the emergency department will still be encouraged for visitors and patients, but it is no longer a requirement.
However, patients exhibiting a fever or respiratory symptoms will still be required to wear a mask.
In regard to staff, physicians, volunteers, students and contractors at CKHA, they too will no longer be required to wear a mask in all areas of CKHA’s hospitals sites and/or facilities. This includes clinical and non-clinical areas.
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.
While masks will no longer be mandatory, CKHA officials said they won’t discourage anyone from wearing a mask if they so desire.
Medical grade masks will continue to be available at public entrances of both the Chatham and Wallaceburg sites.
