Effective immediately, St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital is easing masking requirements for patients and visitors.
Masks are on longer required in public areas such as hallways, elevators, the Atrium Cafe and in patient rooms.
However, masks will be available at all entrances for those who choose to wear them.
Masks remain mandatory in outpatient areas and in the emergency department. Patients with a fever or respiratory symptoms are required to wear a mask.
“Allowing our teams the flexibility to remove their masks in non-clinical areas is a first step in moving past the acute phase of the pandemic and planning a gradual and safe return to normal,” advises Dr. Waleed Chehadi, Chief of Staff.
Masks are still mandatory in some areas.
- Masks must be worn in outpatient areas (waiting rooms in Ambulatory Care and Diagnostic Imaging), as well as in the Emergency Department.
- Patients with a fever or respiratory symptoms are required to wear a mask.
- Health care workers will continue to wear a mask during direct patient care.
Why is STEGH easing masking restrictions?
- Public Health Ontario masking requirements for hospitals were recently updated and at this time Ontario is considered to be in a “non-high risk period.”
- On advice from regional and hospital COVID-19 infection prevention and control experts.
- Alignment with other hospitals in the region.
This is an interim change as hospitals transition out of a universal masking environment and as pandemic measures continue to wind down. Further details on continued next steps will be shared once available.
