NBRHC: Masking to continue as 'best practice'

North Bay Regional Health Centre will continue to require the wearing of masks beyond the expiration of the associated provincial mandates this Saturday.

"The safety of our patients, staff and hospital community is always the number one priority for NBRHC," advises Kim McElroy, the director of communications for the hospital.

"For this reason and at this time, our Health Centre will continue to follow best practices in infection prevention and control by continuing to require masking after the provincial mandates lift on June 11th.

"Continuing to require masking in our hospital is an effective way for us to maintain a safe environment for the vulnerable populations we serve."

See related: Ontario to let masking rules for public transit and many health-care settings expire

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore approved the lifting of the remaining provincial masking requirements, including in hospitals, in a statement released Wednesday.

See also: As of Saturday, no masks needed to board North Bay Transit buses

The remaining government directives are to be revoked and replaced with Ministry of Health guidance for health care workers and organizations, including guidance on when masks should be worn in hospitals and other health care settings — with the caveat that organizations may implement their own policies — even as masking requirements expire.

And: Ontario top science adviser says he would have preferred extended mask rules

To continue providing an additional layer of protection for the most vulnerable, masks will still be required in long-term care and retirement homes and masking is recommended in higher-risk congregate living settings, such as shelters and group homes.