Bluewater Health has lifted its social distancing measures and has modified its masking mandate.
Over the past three years, staff have been required to wear a mask in all areas of the hospital during the majority of their shift, but now, staff will only have to wear a mask during patient-facing interactions.
Effective immediately, masking will also be optional for visitors in outpatient and public spaces, however, the use of masks is strongly recommended when visiting a patient in their room.
Masks will remain mandatory in high-risk areas, such as emergency department waiting areas or units under a COVID-19 outbreak.
“We recognize that COVID-19 is here to stay,” said Chief of Staff Dr. Michel Haddad in a statement. “The incidence will fluctuate, but the experts indicate that there will be background infection risk for the long term. We have to plan to gradually and safely go back to normal, while we continue to focus on mitigating risk to vulnerable patients as we deal with this new respiratory virus for years to come. We need to move past the acute phase of the pandemic.”
Hospital-issued masks will still be provided at all entrances. Staff and visitors can choose to wear a mask at any time.
