Medical masks will once again be required in B.C. including Northern Health for both staff and patients in most circumstances.
As of Monday, (January 6th), patients and anyone accompanying them must wear a mask in emergency departments and waiting rooms.
While being treated, patients are also required to wear one if directed by a health-care professional.
In addition, medical staff will be required to mask up in all settings where patients are being cared for and must use personal protective equipment, such as a respirator, in high-risk scenarios.
The masking requirement will be in effect until the risk decreases, which is expected to be sometime this spring.
Last July, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry rescinded remaining orders for COVID-19 but added enhanced infection prevention and control measures could be reinstated during future respiratory illness seasons if the risk of spread is high.
The Ministry of Health issued the following statement to Vista Radio:
“To keep people safe, the Province is strengthening infection control measures in health authority–operated facilities and contracted sites to protect people during the respiratory illness season.
“As of January 6, 2025, all health-care workers, volunteers, contractors, patients and visitors must wear medical masks in areas where patients are actively receiving care, except when eating and/or drinking. To clarify, any person that comes to a health-care facility for medical care will receive it.
“Temporary measures like these have been regularly used in health-care settings both pre- and post-pandemic, including last year. In conjunction with existing infection control practices, they will help curb the spread of respiratory illness this season and keep patients, residents and health-care workers safe.
“When the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) rescinded remaining orders for COVID-19 in July 2024, the PHO stated that enhanced infection prevention and control measures may be reinstated in health-care facilities during future respiratory illness seasons if the risk of spread of respiratory illness is high. Current surveillance trends show that influenza and RSV activity is increasing, and COVID-19 activity is stable but showing early signs of an increase.”
o The policy applies to health authority–operated facilities, and in sites contracted by the health authority for services such as hospitals, long-term care and assisted-living, outpatient clinics and, ambulatory care settings for the respiratory season.
o Patient-care areas are places where patients, residents and clients are actively receiving care. This is a shift from last year’s measures where masks were required in all areas.
o Patients must wear a medical mask and other PPE when directed by a health care working during provision of direct patient care, if medically tolerated.
o Patients and people accompanying them must wear a medical mask over their nose and mouth in all emergency departments and waiting rooms.
o Visitors to long-term care and seniors’ assisted living settings should wear a medical mask when participating in indoor group events, celebrations, gatherings and activities, except when eating and/or drinking.
o Visitors do not need to wear a mask when they are visiting a single resident in a patient-care area, in multi-bedrooms or in communal areas when visiting directly with one individual resident.
o Residents in LTC and assisted living settings must wear a mask over their nose and mouth, and other PPE when directed by a health care worker during the provision of direct patient care, if medically tolerated.
This policy builds on the measures already in place, including hand hygiene and enhanced cleaning and disinfection.
