Ottawa hospitals keeping mandatory masking rules in place as Ontario lifts mask mandate
Masks will continue to be mandatory in Ottawa hospitals after Ontario lifts its mask mandate this weekend.
Most of the province's remaining masking requirements, including on public transit and in hospitals, will expire on Saturday. Chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore says organizations may implement their own policies.
CHEO, the Montfort Hospital, Queensway Carleton Hospital and the Ottawa Hospital have all said masks will continue to be mandatory in the hospitals.
CHEO says it is maintaining "our status quo" for the mask mandate "because it's prudent."
"As many people in the community shed layers of COVID-19 protection, CHEO needs to continue with all the layers of protection we have, including entrance screening and masking for everyone," CHEO said in a statement.
"Importantly, CHEO still has a significant percentage of sick and vulnerable children in our care who are not eligible for vaccination against COVID-19."
The Montfort Hospital says all staff members, patients and visitors will be required to wear the surgical mask given to them at the entrance.
"And wear the mask at all times while they are inside the hospital," Montfort Hospital said. "This precaution is necessary because we provide health care and services to vulnerable or immunocompromised individuals."
The Ottawa Hospital said the mandatory mask requirement will remain in effect across the Civic Campus, the General Campus and the Riverside Campus.
"As a hospital, we have a duty to care for and protect our patients, staff, and communities," the Ottawa Hospital said.
The Queensway Carleton Hospital will "continue asking anyone" entering the hospital to wear a mask.
"Queensway Carleton Hospital will continue asking anyone who comes into our hospital to wear a mask, including staff and visitors," said QCH in a statement Thursday morning. "We provide care for many patients who are vulnerable or immunocompromised and their safety, care and recovery is of upmost importance."
With Ontario lifting the masking requirements in most settings, Ottawa's medical officer of health says widespread mask use in the community is no longer required.
"Writing as the Medical Officer of Health, I am no longer of the opinion that widespread mask use in the community is required," Dr. Etches said in a memo to council late Wednesday afternoon.
Etches says Ottawa's COVID-19 indicators are "moving in the right direction", but warns COVID is "still present in the community."
"OPH continues to recommend that everyone assess their own risk and take steps to protect themselves and those around them who may be at greater risk."
Etches recommends using layers of protection, including gathering outdoors, wearing a mask indoors when physical distancing may be difficult and staying home when you're sick.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.