May 13, 2021

By Regan Tate

Province now requires medical exception letter for those unable to wear a mask

May 13, 2021 | 4:29 PM

Medicine Hat, AB–The Provincial Government is making changes to the mask exemption rules in the province.

Chief Medical Health Officer Doctor Deena Hinshaw says to help prevent spread and to ensure people are masking appropriately, Alberta Health is clarifying which limited health issues are exempt based on current evidence.

The list includes:

1. Sensory Processing Disorders
2. Developmental delay or cognitive impairment
3. Mental Illness
4. Facial trauma or recent oral or jaw surgery
5. Contact Dermatitis or allergic reaction to mask components
6. Clinically Significant Acute Respiratory Distress.

The exemptions also include those who can’t put on or take off a mask independently, if someone is eating or drinking while sitting down or if there is an occupational risk for wearing a mask.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

16h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

Effective Thursday, Doctor Hinshaw says “in order to verify that someone has a medical condition that makes them unable to wear a mask, Albertans with these conditions will require a medical exception letter from a health professional.”

Hinshaw added “this letter is important to have especially if requested by enforcement officials for not complying with the legal requirement to wear a mask in indoor public spaces.”

Letters must come from a nurse practitioner, physician, or psychologist. Details of what needs to be in the letter are available online. Guidance has also been shared with health professionals authorized to write the letters.

Hinshaw says this decision is modelled after approaches already being used in Saskatchewan and Quebec as well as resources developed by the Manitoba College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Hinshaw stated that this decision “is not meant to punish people unfairly. It is meant to ensure anyone who is capable of wearing a mask complies with this important public health measure intended to keep us all safe which is especially important during this third wave of COVID-19 in the province.”

Hinshaw also released the latest statistics on COVID-19 in Alberta. 1,558 cases were confirmed across the province, bringing the total to 215,193. Of those, 24,586 cases are active while 188,475 people have recovered.

Since yesterday’s update, nine Albertans died from COVID. To date, 2,132 Albertans have died as a result of the virus. There were two new deaths in the South Zone (Brooks and Cardston County) a male in his 80s and a male in his 70s.

Provincially, 722 patients are currently hospitalized including 177 who have been admitted to intensive care.

With another 15,266 tests conducted over the past day, there has now been a total of 4,375,995 tests completed on 2,103,334 different people.

In Medicine Hat, there has been a total of 1,102 cases. Currently there are 206 active, 878 recovered and there have been 18 deaths.

In Brooks, there has been 1, 443 cases. Currently there are 38 active, 1,390 recovered and 15 deaths.

In the County of Newell, there has been 196 cases, 16 active, 178 recovered and 2 deaths.

In Cypress County, there have been 254 cases, 26 are active, and 228 recovered.

In the County of Forty Mile, there has been been 154 cases, 10 active, 141 recovered and 3 deaths.

The province has now administered more than 2 million doses of the vaccine. The exact total is 2, 019, 714.

Hinshaw’s briefing to Albertans can be found here: