Masks are NO longer required in IWK Health public spaces and ambulatory care spaces. However, mandatory masking requirements will remain in place for direct patient care encounters in all inpatient care areas, Day Surgery and the Emergency Department.
Masking will continue to be required in the following areas:
- All inpatient care encounters (i.e. in patient rooms)
- Playrooms and Teen Lounge
- Day surgery, including the day surgery waiting room
- Emergency Department and ELAU
- Any ambulatory care interaction in which the patient and/or family members are masked.
Staff and Physicians are required to don masks while caring for patients and/or family members who are wearing masks, regardless of the setting or the reason for mask usage.
Considering the incidence of severe COVID-19 illness has been decreasing and we have a population with high vaccination rates and hybrid immunity, it is safe to continue to adjust mandatory masking requirements. A return to universal masking and changes to the Health Protocols for Viral Protection will occur should COVID-19 or other respiratory virus incidence increase. The epidemiology of COVID-19 in the general population and in IWK Health facilities, as well as health care worker absences due to COVID-19 will be monitored, particularly as we move into the Fall.