You can remove the mask. In a news release, Alberta Health Services (AHS) said it is rescinding continuous masking requirements at all its sites (including Continuing Care and contracted sites) as of June 19.
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.
The decision to rescind the current requirement for continuous masking was made based on a number of factors, said the release, 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.
Those who want to wear a mask are encouraged to do so, said AHS. It also encourages those who have had respiratory symptoms to wait to visit loved ones in facilities until 10 days after symptom onset. It's also recommended to mask when visiting symptomatic patients or residents.
Appropriate types of masks and PPE will continue to be available in all settings for patients and healthcare workers.
