Waterloo-Wellington hospitals to require masks after Ontario mandate lifts

Hospitals in Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County will continue to require people to wear masks inside their buildings after the Ontario masking mandate lifts this Saturday.

Marianne Walker, president and CEO of Guelph General Hospital and theWaterloo-Wellington hospital regional lead for the COVID-19 response, said in a release that masks are one way to keep the most vulnerable patients safe.

"The science tells us how COVID is spread and that has not changed," Walker said in the release.

"Maintaining safety measures at our hospitals helps protect patients and staff. They also reduce the opportunity for outbreaks to occur in hospital settings which can affect our ability to provide and ramp up our services."

The province has saidmost of the remaining masking requirements, including on public transit, will expire as of 12:00 a.m. Saturday.

Masks will still be required in long-term care and retirement homes and Ontario's chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore says masks arerecommended in higher-risk congregate living settings, such as shelters and group homes.

As well,organizations are allowed toimplement their own policies about masking.

Moore recommended people ensure their COVID-19 vaccinations are up to date to protect themselves and to stay home if they're feeling sick.

"The province will continue to monitor for any significant changes, including any new variants of concern, to ensure we are adapting our response to protect the health and safety of all Ontarians," Moore said in a press release.