The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) says the mandatory masking policy at the Chatham and Wallaceburg hospitals will remain the same for now.
CKHA President and CEO Lori Marshall anticipates that hospitals across the province will be working together to come up with consistent policies, but emphasized that at this stage there is no change at either CKHA site regarding mandatory masks.
The President and CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association Anthony Dale said COVID-19 is still a threat to health, especially for the unvaccinated and immunocompromised.
Dale said hospitals will be independently adopting their own masking policies and practices to ensure the safest environment possible for patients and Ontarians can expect to have mandatory masking in hospitals for "some time" to ensure patient safety.
Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health announced on Wednesday that masking will be optional at high-risk settings such as hospitals and long-term care homes beginning April 27, 2022, but will still be required until then.
Marshall said it's too early right now to identify if mandatory masking at the hospitals in Chatham-Kent will change at the end of April.
"Please make sure that if you're coming to visit at the hospital that you understand that masking is still required at this stage," said Marshall.
Masks will be optional for schools and school buses beginning March 21, 2022 and officials with the Lambton-Kent school boards said they are still welcome but are not required.
Lambton-Kent District School Board Education Director John Howitt said cohorting will also be gone after the March Break along with physical distancing and it's completely understandable and acceptable if people still want to wear masks in the classroom and on buses.
"We will fully recognize that there will be students and staff whose comfort level will have them continuing to wear masks and they are perfectly welcome to do so," said Howitt.
Howitt said there are, however, a couple of exceptions that require mandatory masking. He said those who are exposed to COVID-19 and those returning from international travel must wear masks and follow all of the provincial and federal COVID-19 rules.
St. Clair Catholic District School Board Education Director Scott Johnson said some will be uncomfortable not wearing masks when they return from March Break and they shouldn't be judged for doing it if that's their preference.
Johnson also said masks will be provided at schools for students and staff wanting them until the end of the year.
He said the Catholic board is also adding 282 additional HEPA filters for better ventilation.
The municipality has previously said it will follow provincial masking rules and they will no longer be mandatory beginning March 21, 2022.
