Patients and visitors to St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH) can now go mask free in some areas of the medical facility.
The hospital eased masking restrictions this week, no longer requiring face coverings be worn in public areas such as hallways, elevators, and the Atrium Café. Visitors can also free their nose and mouth in patient rooms.
The decision to relax masking rules that were introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic comes as other area hospitals, including those in London, took similar steps earlier this month. Masks began coming off at hospitals across the province after Public Health Ontario updated hospital requirements, noting that Ontario is considered to be in a “non-high risk period.” Advice was also sought from regional and hospital COVID-19 infection prevention and control experts, before the change was made.
Despite the easing of mandatory masking, the hospital will remain a “mask friendly” environment, according to hospital officials.
“If a patient or visitor chooses to continue to wear a mask while in hospital, their decision will be supported,” said Monica Olanski, STEGH’s vice president of patient services and chief information officer. “We want everyone who enters the hospital to feel comfortable and safe.”
Masks will continue to be available at all entrances of the hospital for those who choose to wear them, Olanski added.
There are still areas of the hospital where face coverings will still be mandatory. People in outpatient areas including
waiting rooms in ambulatory care and diagnostic imaging and in the emergency department will have to mask up. As will individuals who are experiencing a fever or respiratory symptoms.
Health care workers will wear masks when providing direct care to patients.
“Allowing our teams the flexibility to remove their masks in non-clinical areas is a first step in moving past the acute phase of the pandemic and planning a gradual and safe return to normal,” said Chief of Staff Dr. Waleed Chehadi.
Read original story from London Ontario – BlackburnNews.com