Enhanced Masking Measures Lifted by Ministry of Long-Term Care
The Ministry of Long-Term Care (MLTC) has been working closely with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (OCMOH) to monitor and assess respiratory illness in the community and LTCHs, including reassessing enhanced masking measures currently in place in LTCHs.
Recent trends have shown continued decreases in the community-level transmission of COVID-19, flu, and RSV, as well as decreases in outbreaks in LTCHs, with lower risk of severe illness and hospitalization amongst residents, and increased vaccination rates. While outbreaks can still be expected, we anticipate entering a lower-risk period of respiratory illness than we have experienced over the past three months.
Based on the recent trends and projections, and the advice of OCMOH, MLTC is ending the enhanced masking measures effective immediately.
As required in the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Standard and the updated MLTC COVID-19 guidance document, masking in non-outbreak situations in LTCHs continues to be:
- Required for staff, based on a point-of-care risk assessment before every resident interaction, and based on the return-to-work protocols;
- Staff may consider wearing a mask during prolonged direct resident care defined as one-on-one within two metres of an individual for fifteen minutes or longer; and
- Recommended for visitors and caregivers, but not required.
