New Masking Rules For Health-Care Settings In B.C. Coming Into Force Oct. 3, Officials Confirm

Friday, September 29, 2023 at 7:37 AM

By Jay Herrington

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry talks during an update at the legislature in Victoria on Thursday, March 10, 2022. (PHOTO The Canadian Press)

Masking is coming back to British Columbia Health Care settings.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says we are starting to see increasing respiratory virus infections in B.C., including COVID-19.

"It's important, as we have more infections in the community, that we do what we need to do to protect those people who are most at risk of having severe illness and frankly dying from influenza, from COVID, from (respiratory syncytial virus).", said Henry.

As respiratory infections are increasing in communities in B.C., the risk also increases in health-care facilities where people may be more at risk of severe infections or complications.

To increase protections in health-care facilities in the province, medical mask wearing will be required by all health-care workers, volunteers, contractors, and visitors in patient care areas starting Oct. 3, 2023.

Long-term care visitors will be required to wear a medical mask when they are in common areas of the home and when participating in indoor events, gatherings, activities in communal areas of the care home or residence.

Ambassadors will be at facility entrances to support screening for symptoms of respiratory illnesses, hand out medical masks, and ensure people clean their hands before entering.

The Province and public-health officials are also encouraging people in B.C. aged six months and older to get their COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.

When the vaccines start to arrive in B.C. in early October, priority populations will be invited to book vaccine appointments.

This includes people most at risk of severe illness and complications, such as seniors 65 and older, residents in long-term care facilities, Indigenous peoples, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions, as well as health-care workers.

Vaccines will be readily available in many participating pharmacies, health-authority clinics, and some primary-care providers’ offices throughout the province.