Update on Masking Policies
13-4-2023
In compliance with Public Health Ontario guidance, Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH), Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) and Erie Shores HealthCare (ESHC) have modified mandatory masking policies, effective Monday, April 17, 2023 at 12:01 a.m.
Through the pandemic, all those entering hospital facilities have been asked to wear a mask to protect some of our community's most vulnerable patients. With recent guidance changes from Public Health Ontario, our hospitals are now in a position to reduce masking requirements for our employees, professional staff, volunteers, and those who come to visit our facilities. Effective April 17, 2023, employees, professional staff, and volunteers are to wear masks only when within 2 metres of any patient unless there is a physical barrier present. Exceptions to this will apply when patients are under additional precautions and/or a unit is in an active outbreak.
It remains recommended that visitors mask when within 2 metres of patients. Additionally, visitors, non-symptomatic patients, employees, professional staff, and volunteers will not be required to wear a mask in non-clinical areas, such as main lobbies, waiting areas, cafeterias, and elevators. Masking in waiting rooms and lounges in high-risk areas such as Oncology, Dialysis, and the Emergency Department remains a requirement for visitors and patients. Masks will continue to be required for visitors within two metres of patients in the aforementioned high-risk areas, as well as on any units in an active COVID-19 outbreak. Signage will be posted on these units to inform all those who enter about masking requirements.
We continue to support those individuals who still choose to wear a mask at any time. All individuals who put on a mask should use a hospital-issued mask. Masks will be provided at hospital entrances.
Due to variances in each organization's physical layout as well as differences in our program and service offerings, please check links of respective hospital websites for more information on current visitor policies:
We appreciate the public's continued patience and understanding of past and present measures to reduce the opportunity for COVID-19 transmission in hospital settings.
Media Release