The Brant Community Healthcare System is moving to a mask-friendly policy as of Monday.
Patients, families, visitors, employees, professional staff and volunteers will no longer be required to wear a mask in most areas of the healthcare system’s facilities.
The healthcare system operates Brantford General Hospital (BGH) and Willett Urgent Care Center in Paris.
Masks will still be required for those in the hospital’s oncology clinic, a high-risk environment that provides care to vulnerable patients. Patients with acute respiratory symptoms will also be required to wear masks.
As well, visitors may be required to wear a mask in outbreak units and while interacting with patients who have specific isolation precautions that must be followed.
The hospital’s decision to move to a mask-friendly policy from a universal policy is based on recent updates from Public Health Ontario advising that hospital are now in a “non-high risk period” with respect to COVID-19.
Regional and hospital COVID-19 infection and control experts are supporting the shift, the healthcare system said in a statement released Thursday.
Officials say masks will continue to be available at the BGH and Willett for those who want to wear one.
Meanwhile, potential visitors who are feeling unwell are being asked to stay home to ensure the safety of staff, patients and the community.
The need for universal masking will be revisited if needed. All decisions will be based on provincial guidance and direction base on expert advice.
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