BC’s Ministry of Health has updated its mask policy for healthcare facilities across the province as we work our way through respiratory illness season.

A statement from the Ministry says its policy around hospitals and long-term care facilities has been updated to require patients and visitors to wear masks in some settings.

For visitors in acute care, masks will be required in all patient care areas, emergency departments and waiting rooms.

“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 says the changes were put into effect on Monday, January 6. “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. To clarify, any person that comes to a health-care facility for medical care will receive it.”

“Temporary measures like these have been regularly used in health-care settings both pre- and post-pandemic, including last year. 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.”

“When the Provincial Health Officer rescinded remaining orders for COVID-19 in July 2024, the PHO stated that enhanced infection prevention and control measures may be reinstated in health-care facilities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. Current surveillance trends show that influenza and RSV activity is increasing, and COVID-19 activity is stable but showing early signs of an increase.”

Additional information on background:

• More on the policy:
  • The policy applies to health authority–operated facilities, and in sites contracted by the health authority for services such as hospitals, long-term care and assisted-living, outpatient clinics and ambulatory care settings for the respiratory season.
  • The masking requirement will be in effect until the risk decreases, which is expected to be in spring 2025. Public health experts will continue to monitor risk levels throughout the respiratory illness season.
  • Patient-care areas are places where patients, residents and clients are actively receiving care. This is a shift from last year’s measures where masks were required in all areas.
  • Patients must wear a medical mask and other PPE when directed by a health care working during provision of direct patient care, if medically tolerated.
  • Patients and people accompanying them must wear a medical mask over their nose and mouth in all emergency departments and waiting rooms.
  • Visitors to long-term care and seniors’ assisted living settings should wear a medical mask when participating in indoor group events, celebrations, gatherings and activities, except when eating and/or drinking.
  • Visitors do not need to wear a mask when they are visiting a single resident in a patient-care area, in multi-bedrooms or in communal areas when visiting directly with one individual resident.
  • Residents in LTC and assisted living settings must wear a mask over their nose and mouth, and other PPE when directed by a health care worker during the provision of direct patient care, if medically tolerated.
• This policy builds on the measures already in place, including hand hygiene and enhanced cleaning and disinfection.