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By Chris Brown

AHS ending continuous masking policy

Jun 15, 2023 | 10:51 AM

Beginning next week continuous masking will no longer be required at Alberta Health Services facilities.

AHS says that after careful review the policy is being rescinded as of June 19. The change covers all AHS facilities, including continuing care and contracted sites.

“This applies to all patients, families, and visitors at AHS facilities, as well as Alberta Precision Laboratories, Covenant Health, CapitalCare, and Carewest sites. It also applies to all AHS and contracted staff, including physicians, midwives, students, volunteers, and contractors,” states a release from AHS.

The release states the decision was made based on a number of factors “including declining COVID-19 cases, testing positivity rate, wastewater data and hospital admission rates for respiratory illnesses in Alberta, as well as consultation with stakeholders including patients, families, advisory councils, clinicians and frontline managers.”

The provincial health service says it respects the choice to voluntarily wear a mask in all areas and encourages those who want to wear a mask to continue to wear one. AHS also encourages patients to speak with their care providers regarding masking, hand hygiene, or other factors that patients feel are important to their care.

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Visitors or designated family support persons who have had respiratory symptoms are encouraged to wait to visit loved ones until 10 days after symptom onset, and all visitors and support persons are recommended to mask when visiting symptomatic patients or residents, says AHS.

Staff are required to continue to use the Infection Prevention and Control Risk Assessment to make personal protective equipment (PPE) decisions and AHS Routine Practices to prevent the spread of infections. Appropriate types of masks and PPE will continue to be available in all settings for patients and health-care workers. For more information please refer to AHS’ updated FAQ.