While masking mandates are set to expire in various high-risk areas like public transit and some medical settings across the province on Saturday (June 11), Simcoe County hospitals intend to keep masking in place for the foreseeable future.
Officials at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) in Barrie — along with Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital (OSMH) and Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH) in Alliston — announced the decision on Friday, just one day before the provincial mandates are set to expire. The policies applying to anyone entering the Barrie hospital and its offsite locations including staff, physicians, patients, visitors, vendors, contractors, and students.
“Protecting our patients and the people who care for them is RVH’s highest priority, so we will continue to err on the side of caution. Masks are a simple and effective way to reduce the transmission of COVID-19,” Dr. Jeff Tyberg, RVH chief of staff and vice-president of academic and medical affairs, said in a news release. “They protect our vulnerable and immunocompromised patients, and they help keep members of Team RVH healthy and able to continue to do their important work.”
Tyberg also noted RVH will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation over the summer and will adjust protocols when appropriate, adding hospital officials will always be putting “safety first.”
While each hospital will be responsible for its own entry and welcome procedures, when arriving at Central Region hospitals, patients and families will continue to be required to wear a mask. Masks will be provided to those who arrive without one.
This direction aligns with a statement provided June 8, 2022 by the Ontario Hospital Association that recommended that the chief medical officer of health order regarding mandatory masking for patients, caregivers, visitors and other members of the public in hospital settings, issued under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, be maintained.
"While masking requirements are expiring, organizations may implement their own policies. Ontarians should continue to wear a mask if they feel it is right for them, are at high risk for severe illness, recovering from COVID-19, have symptoms of the virus or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19," Ontario chief medical officer Dr. Kieran Moore said in a statement.
Visitors at RVH will continue to be screened at public entrances, provide proof of full vaccination, and wear a hospital-issued mask at all times while in the facility.
The current visitor policy at RVH will continue to remain in place, allowing one visitor, seven days a week for one hour. All visitors will still be required to be booked with the care team in advance.
The provincial government is maintaining the mask mandate for long-term care homes. Masking is also recommended for congregate living spaces like shelters that are considered higher risk.
