Staff at Burlington hospital will mask up again, visitors also encouraged to cover up

Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH) has reinstated masking policies for staff while encouraging visitors and patients to put the protective device back on.

As of today (Oct. 2), physicians, staff and volunteers in all clinical areas must return to wearing marks.

Further, JBH is “strongly encouraging” patients and visitors to wear a mask whenever possible in the hospital.

The updated policy comes as other hospitals in Ontario revise their policies, ones that require mask-wearing. Various masking policies have been in place for the past several years as the hospital dealt with cases of COVID-19.

A spokesperson for the hospital says the measures are also in anticipation of fall season increases in respiratory virus activity.

“JBH will continue to follow the guidance of the Ministry of Health and public health experts in our approach to keeping our patients, our people and our community safe,” read a statement from the hospital sent to halton.insauga.com. “We will also continue to monitor local developments and communicate any necessary changes to our current practices and procedures.”

Masks will continue to be available at hospital entrances.

Currently, JBH is caring for three people with confirmed cases of COVID-19.