Mask mandates still apply at Sudbury’s hospital, airport and LTC homes

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You no longer have to wear a protective mask in all but a few places in the City of Greater Sudbury starting Saturday morning.

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That’s because the province is lifting its mandatory mask rules, including that people wear masks when using public transit or visiting hospitals.

Dr. Kieran Moore, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said this week he made the decision based on high vaccination rates and improvements in the provincial COVID-19 situation.

In a written statement, he thanked residents for following public health measures and asked for sustained vigilance against the virus by keeping up with vaccinations and staying home when 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,” he said.

Rules requiring that people wear masks on public transit and most health-care settings will expire at 12 a.m. on Saturday. Mask requirements lifted in most other settings in March, along with essentially all other public health measures aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19 in the province.

However, masks will still be required in Ontario long-term care homes and retirement homes after Saturday, a decision Moore said is meant to protect the most vulnerable.

Masks are still “strongly recommended” in high-risk congregate settings like group homes and shelters, his statement said.

The province said organizations can keep their own mask policies and people should keep masking if they are high-risk for the illness, are recovering from COVID-19, have symptoms, or have been in contact with someone who has the illness.

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Directives around mask requirements for health workers will also expire on Saturday and be replaced by Health Ministry guidance outlining when masks should be worn in hospitals and other health workplaces.

The June 11 lifting of the province’s mask mandate means an end to GOVA Transit users having to don masks when they get on a bus.

“As we have done throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the city is continuing to follow the guidance of the province and Public Health Sudbury and Districts when it comes to implementing public health measures,” city spokeswoman Kelly Brooks said Friday. “As of June 11, masks will no longer be required for those using GOVA Transit. Following the province’s updated direction on June 8, masks will continue to be required for staff and visitors at Pioneer Manor.

“While masks will now be optional in almost all public settings, COVID-19 has not disappeared. We encourage individuals to assess their situation to determine what is best for them, and ask them to continue to be respectful of the choices of others.”

Pioneer Manor, incidentally, is a city owned-and-operated long-term care facility.

Face masks will still required to enter the Greater Sudbury Airport terminal located near Skead, however.

“Masking continues to be required at all times for our passengers, airport personnel, and contractors, along with proof of vaccination to enter the airport terminal,” said Jean-Mathieu Chenier, director of marketing, airport excellence and innovation. “We want the public to be informed that when they come to the Greater Sudbury Airport, they should arrive with their approved face mask and/or proof of vaccination.”

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As of last month, the airport began allowing friends and family members to enter the terminal.

Wearing a mask at Health Sciences North is also still in effect. HSN president and chief executive officer Dominic Giroux posted on social media that “masking and other COVID-19 policies continue at Health Sciences North for health care workers, patients and Designated Care Partners.

“While masking mandates are being lifted in some additional settings this weekend across Ontario, Health Sciences North will continue to require universal masking for our patients, Designated Care Partners and staff. This approach is in line with other hospitals across the province and also helps to reduce any risk of transmission of COVID-19 while protecting our vulnerable patient population, some of whom aren’t eligible for vaccination and many who are immunocompromised.

“It is also the best way to keep our dedicated, incredibly hardworking health care workers safe. Please remember our visitor restrictions remain in place and proof of vaccination is required.”

Public Health Sudbury and Districts registered nurse Pascale Doucet said the health unit is following the province’s mask-lifting measures, but members of the public should still carry a mask with them.

“Organizations and businesses can implement their own masking policy,” said the member of the health unit’s 10-person Behaviour Change Team for COVID-19. “Bring a mask in case they need it. It’s up to the discretion of the organizations and businesses. For individuals who simply forgot to have one, a lot of them (organizations and businesses) will have one to give out.”

– with files from Canadian Press

hcarmichael@postmedia.com

Twitter: @HaroldCarmichae