London hospitals tighten mask rules for patients, visitors

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London hospitals are making face masks a requirement for some patients and encouraging visitors to wear one, too – a move intended to reduce the impact of flu season on hospital capacity.  

London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London announced Monday the two hospitals are bringing back mask requirements starting on Thursday, as seasonal respiratory viruses begin to circulate.  

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“Changes to our masking guidelines are aligned with our regional and provincial partners, with a goal of ensuring staff, physicians, volunteers, patients, caregivers, visitors and our community remain protected while respiratory viruses circulate this fall and winter,” LHSC’s corporate medical executive Dr. Kevin Chan said in a statement Monday. 

Here are the mask rules for patients and visitors to LHSC and St. Joseph’s:  

• It’s recommended that people wear a mask in all clinical areas, inpatient and outpatient settings and when in direct contact with a health care worker.  
• It’s required that patients with a fever or respiratory symptoms wear a mask in all clinical and non-clinical settings (except if they are in an inpatient room).  
• Visitors with a fever or respiratory symptoms are asked to reschedule their visit when their symptoms improve.   

Masks will be available at hospital entrances and in departments throughout the hospital.  

“It is crucial to enhance our safety practices to protect everyone in our care, especially our most vulnerable patients,” St. Joseph’s vice-president of medical and academic affairs Dr. Adam Dukelow said in a statement Monday. 

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“Our updated masking guidelines, along with a strong emphasis on vaccination and hand hygiene reinforce our commitment to creating a safe and healthy environment for all.” 

The announcement by London’s hospitals comes on the same day that the flu shot and updated COVID-19 vaccine became available to the general population.  

Respiratory virus season – including flu, COVID and respiratory syncytial virus – put pressure on Ontario hospitals each year as people with severe complications from the viruses require hospitalization.

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