Mask mandate to remain in place at Norfolk General Hospital
(NGH) Friday, June 10, 2022 – Anyone visiting Norfolk General Hospital (NGH) will still be required to wear a mask until further notice.
On June 8, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) stated that the Class Order on masking requirements would expire on Saturday, June 11. However, hospitals have the discretion to keep these requirements in place to support health and safety in their environments. This means that NGH will continue to require everyone who enters our facilities to continue to wear a hospital-issued face mask, including when visiting at a patient’s bedside.
Hospitals care for vulnerable patients who are at heightened risk of infection. Continuing to follow masking is an effective infection prevention and control measure against COVID-19. Masking helps us to maintain a safe environment for our patients and their loved ones, and for our staff, physicians and volunteers, by limiting the risk of infection transmission and outbreaks.
There are no changes to our visitor guidelines, which include:
- Complete and pass screening
- Wear a hospital issued mask at all times while inside the hospital.
- Follow strict hand hygiene guidelines
- Practice physical distancing where possible.
- No eating or drinking inside the hospital
- Use public washroom(s) and not patient washrooms.
Staff and physicians at NGH will also continue to follow current personal protective equipment requirements, including wearing a mask for the foreseeable future.
Over the past two years, we have seen the COVID-19 pandemic situation continue to change and evolve. The safety and wellness of our patients, visitors, employees and physicians remains paramount. Maintaining these measures, endorsed by our Infection Prevention and Control experts, will help ensure our hospitals are able to prevent and manage outbreaks of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.
NGH would like to thank the community for their ongoing support and understanding to ensure the safety of our patients, staff, physicians and visitors at this time.
