Several Toronto hospitals will maintain their camouflage policies despite the province’s decision to cancel its remaining mandates in public transportation and many health facilities.
The University Health Network (UHN) will continue to demand that everyone in hospitals be disguised, saying their decision to keep it is because it cares for patients with weakened immune systems.
Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief health doctor, said Wednesday that he would not extend the remaining mandates for masks in high-risk areas, except those in long-term care homes and retirees.
“With high levels of vaccination and the continuing situation with COVID-19 in Ontario, most of the remaining provincial camouflage requirements, including for public transportation, will expire at 12:00 a.m. on June 11, 2022.” Moore said in a statement.
Moore noted that the current directives on disguise in hospitals and other healthcare facilities will be repealed on Saturday and will be replaced by ministry guidelines on when to wear masks.
In shelters and group homes, masks will also no longer be mandatory, but recommended.
Most of the province’s camouflage requirements were removed in March, with the exception of those at high risk. They were due to expire in April, but were extended amid the sixth wave of the pandemic.
“Until the disguise requirements expire, organizations can implement their own policies. “Ontarians should continue to wear a mask if they think it is appropriate for them, are at high risk of serious illness, recover from COVID-19, have symptoms of the virus or have close contact with COVID-19,” he said. Moore.
UHN President Kevin Smith told CP24 that their decision to keep the disguise was “pointless.”
“I think Dr. Moore, looking at all the evidence and where we are with COVID, fortunately, thinks that we are now in a moment where we can give up this mandate for disguise, which is great news, good progress, but we are not out of the woods for particularly vulnerable groups, “Smith said.
“And the University Health Network considered this very carefully as we thought about how best to protect our patients, but also to protect the very vulnerable and much-needed staff.”
The Hospital for Sick Children also confirmed to CP24 that they will follow their disguise policy.
“SickKids has a uniquely vulnerable patient population, as not all of our patients qualify for vaccination and many are immunocompromised, putting them at higher risk of severe outcomes due to COVID-19 than children in the community. For these reasons, we continue to take a precautionary approach with our safety measures and will continue to require universal camouflage after June 11, “the hospital said in a statement.
Humber River Hospital, North York General Hospital and Sunnybrook Hospital also said the mask requirements would remain in place.
Palliative care doctor Dr Amit Arya said he was happy to see some hospitals continue to impose masks, as he worried that the province’s decision to suspend the requirements could lead to outbreaks.
“I am glad to see that the individual hospitals and I wanted to say that it is very likely that my own hospital will impose masks. And I think that’s going to happen to a lot of hospitals. I am very worried about the smaller rural hospitals, which may not have the legal or administrative capacity to make such a decision, and I may feel very worried, “Arya told CP24.
“And I am also very concerned that we may be challenged as first-line health workers, by patients or family members who are anti-masked and do not understand the vital importance of continuing to be disguised in hospital.”
Speaking to CP24 earlier Wednesday, UHN Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr Adbu Sharkawi said masking should still be mandatory, especially indoors, frequented by people vulnerable to COVID-19.
He added that he would continue to wear the mask indoors for the foreseeable future to protect himself and others, especially those who are vulnerable and whose immunity may be weakened.
“I think wearing a mask indoors is still a very important way to prevent not only the spread of COVID 19, but also many respiratory viruses,” Sharkawi said. “So, personally, I would prefer to maintain an indoor camouflage policy, especially in places where vulnerable people may need to visit, and that could include healthcare environments, obviously pharmacies and supermarkets, and things like that. I understand that not everyone agrees with me. “
On Wednesday, Ontario reported its lowest positive rate of six months. According to the province, there are 522 patients with COVID-19 in Ontario hospitals, 200 less than a week ago. Of the patients, 114 are in intensive care, which is less than 127 a week ago.
TTC strongly recommends masking
Following the announcement, the Toronto Transit Commission said it would continue to recommend the use of masks in vehicles and stations.
“Although it is no longer mandatory at TTC from Saturday, we strongly recommend that you continue to use masks,” CEO Rick Leary said in a statement.
“Safety is paramount to everything we do. During the pandemic, we made decisions based on public health advice, while respecting all provincial mandates. “
The TTC implemented its mandatory masking policy in July 2020.
The transit agency said its operators in the conventional system would only have to wear a mask when providing a mobility device. However, he noted that the masks will still be needed for Wheel-Trans employees and customers.
“While the end of the mandate of the provincial masks is a sign that we are cautious and gradually returning to normal, we know that COVID-19 has not disappeared and we still strongly recommend continuing the use of masks in the TTC,” said TTC President Jay. Robinson in a statement. “Wearing a mask is a small measure we can all take to help keep our communities safe.”
TTC said customers should expect to start hearing new messages and seeing new signs and posters throughout the system to reflect the changes.
Metrolinx, meanwhile, has confirmed that it will follow Moore’s advice and will no longer require masks in GO Transit and UP Express.
– with files by Beatrice Weissman
Add Comment