Smile! Long-term care staff, visitors can now go without masks

More than three years have passed since every person who sought entry to a long-term care home in Ontario was forced to don a mask in a bid to keep the COVID-19 virus at bay.

This week, local long-term care facilities — and those across the province — are shifting their protocols in a de-escalation of COVID-19 measures and making masking optional for staff and visitors.

"We are very excited to share the news that masking in long-term care homes is being relaxed under the direction of the Ministry of Long-Term Care," reads a memo from Waters Edge Care Community, in North Bay. "After more than three years of not seeing our team members’ smiles, we can all celebrate this
welcome change."

Several other area long-term care homes are making similar moves on varying timelines. North Bay's Cassellholme, Nipissing Manor in Corbeil, Eastholme Home For The Aged in Powassan, and Au Chateau Home for the Aged of West Nipissing have either already made the change or are in the midst of relaxing the mask mandate.

At Waters Edge, for the first time since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, masking for caregivers and visitors is optional in all areas of the home. Caregivers and visitors may now share a meal or beverage with their loved ones in communal areas — a common practice pre-pandemic.

According to the Waters Edge notice, masking for team members, volunteers, students, and support workers is optional and self-determined, based on a point-of-care risk assessment

That is not to say masks will not still play a role in direct care situations with residents. "Every health care worker will complete a point-of-care risk assessment before every resident interaction and task to determine whether there is a risk to the health care worker or other individuals and determine the appropriate Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) measures to be taken, which may include a mask or other protective equipment.

The MLTC confirms homes are encouraged to implement policies that accommodate staff who prefer to continue wearing a mask and residents (or substitute decision-makers) who request that a staff member wear a mask when providing care, in alignment with the Residents’ Bill of Rights.

Masking and the wearing of other personal protective equipment requirements will continue in outbreak situations or as additional precautions to protect residents, staff and visitors, in coordination with the IPAC lead and the public health unit. Masking or other measures can be put back in place, for instance, in an attempt to weather heightened activity during the respiratory virus season.

See related: Health units recommend masking beyond lifting of mandates — if necessary

In October 2022, Ontario changed masking rules for long-term care homes as visitors and caregivers were no longer required to wear masks when alone with a resident in their room, according to this Canadian Press report.

Staff and volunteers were required to wear medical masks for their whole shift while indoors and were not permitted to remove them while in residential areas or while interacting with residents. Provincial guidance recommended residents wear masks while receiving direct care and in common areas with other residents, except while eating.

See also: Ontario COVID adviser wanted masking extension, Moore says time to shift to guidance

In March, long-term care homes with COVID-19 proof-of-vaccination requirements were encouraged to revisit their policies and consider allowing visitors and qualified staff, regardless of their vaccination status, in the first phase of realigning measures, effective March 31.

"Due to the effectiveness of vaccines, high levels of community immunity, and improved diagnostics and treatment, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, in collaboration with Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility, is moving into the next phase of easing COVID-19 restrictions," MLTC spokesperson Jake Roseman states in correspondence with BayToday​​​​​.

"These changes bring Ontario into alignment with other provinces across the country, such as Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba, that have already made similar adjustments to masking policies. These changes will ensure we remain focused on balancing the health, mental, and emotional well-being of residents in long-term care and retirement homes across the province with the risks associated with COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

"While these de-escalated measures mark a significant milestone in our journey forward and we want to celebrate seeing more smiles, keep in mind that any resident, team member or visitor may continue to wear a mask for personal reasons," writes Waters Edge. "Please respect the decisions of those who live, work and visit our communities."