Windsor Regional Hospital is reducing its requirements on masking within two metres of patients as the respiratory virus season winds down.
Effective 12:01 am on Monday, April 21, WRH is moving from a policy where masking by staff remained within two metres of any patient, to masking procedures whereby masking in all areas is based on the needs of specific patients.
“Masking remains highly recommended in Emergency Departments, where staff are not always aware of what a patient is presenting with,” said a news release from the hospital.
Masking is also highly recommended for patients and visitors in the Emergency Department, due to potential crowding and the possibility of infectious patients presenting, as well as in the waiting rooms of the Cancer Centre and Renal Dialysis unit.
The hospital said it continues to support those individuals who still choose to wear a mask at any time. All individuals who put on a mask are encouraged to use a hospital-issued mask. Masks will continue to be provided at hospital entrances.