Mask mandate returns to BC health facilities to 'help curb the spread of respiratory illness'

British Columbia’s Ministry of Health has instated a mask mandate in an effort to “protect people during the respiratory illness season.”

As of Monday, the ministry told NowMedia, all health-care workers, volunteers, contractors, patients and visitors “must wear medical masks in areas where patients are actively receiving care, except when eating and/or drinking.”

But it added that the “temporary” measure will never be used to deny anyone service.

“To clarify, any person that comes to a health-care facility for medical care will receive it,” the ministry said in a statement.

It explained that it expected the mask mandate to remain in effect “until the risk decreases,” which it predicted will be in the spring.

“To keep people safe, the Province is strengthening infection control measures in health authority–operated facilities and contracted sites to protect people during the respiratory illness season,” the ministry’s statement reads.

It adds: “In conjunction with existing infection control practices, they will help curb the spread of respiratory illness this season and keep patients, residents and health-care workers safe.”

The BC government has imposed various mask mandates in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those mandates applied in all areas of health facilities, however, whereas this mandate will only apply in places where people are “actively receiving care,” the ministry said.

The most recent of the previous mask mandates was rescinded in health care facilities on April 8 last year.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, rescinded all other remaining COVID-19 restrictions in July.

Alongside her announcement, Dr. Henry’s office explained that “enhanced infection prevention and control measures may be reinstated in health-care facilities during future respiratory illness seasons if the risk of spread of respiratory illness is high.”

The respiratory illnesses mentioned by Dr. Henry included RSV, COVID-19 and influenza.

The latest mandate will apply to all facilities operated by health authorities, sites contracted by a health authority, long-term care and assisted-living facilities, outpatient clinics and ambulatory care settings.

It will apply in all emergency departments and waiting rooms, the ministry said.