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Masks are no longer mandatory in non-patient areas of hospitals in Carleton Place and Almonte, making them the first hospitals in the area to publicly announce they are easing some pandemic requirements.
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In a statement, Almonte General Hospital and Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital said they have made the change in alignment with many hospitals across Ontario.
The changes in Almonte and Carleton Place do not go as far as in some Ontario hospitals. Staff, visitors and patients will still be required to wear a mask when they enter any patient care areas, including hallways and waiting rooms, according to spokesperson Jane Adams. Patients will be encouraged to wear a mask when they leave their rooms.
“Our first responsibility as health care providers is protecting the health and safety of our patients and by continuing to mask in patient-care areas we make that our priority,” said Dr. Allyson Champagne, chief of staff at Carleton Place hospital.
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She added that giving people the option of removing masks in non-clinical areas “marks an exciting step in our return to ‘normal’ life and away from pandemic restrictions. This will be an important boost to the morale of our extremely hard-working staff.”
The chief of staff at Almonte hospital, Dr. Graeme McKillop, called the decision a “balance between our commitment to providing a safe environment for our patients and reducing undue burden on staff and visitors.”
President and Mary Wilson-Trider said the hospital will continue to monitor and adjust its policies, if necessary, based on public health recommendations.
A number of hospitals across the province have loosened masking requirements after Public Health Ontario changed its recommendations to make that possible under certain circumstances.
At some hospitals, people are encouraged, but no longer required, to wear masks in areas such as the emergency department. Masking continues to be mandatory at Ottawa hospitals.
Hospitals in Carleton Place and Almonte ease mask requirements - Ottawa Citizen
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