Manitoba health facilities retain mask use policy

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This article was published 10/03/2022 (1316 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With the provincial mask mandate lifting March 15, Manitobans are being reminded masks will still be required in hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices and other health-care facilities.

The policy will still be in place at all Shared Health facilities, and in other care settings, including long-term care.

Doctors in the province have recommended people continue to wear masks in other indoor, public places even after public health orders no longer require them.

Continuing to wear masks in health-care settings protects patients and staff, Doctors Manitoba president Dr. Kristjan Thompson said Thursday.

No timeline has been released for how long health facilities will keep the mask rule, but Thompson said the policy should remain as long as there’s good evidence to show masks help prevent spreading illnesses.

He also recommended students continue to wear masks at school. The province announced March 4 masks in schools will no longer be required, as of March 15.

“Like any other public place, it’s appropriate to wear a mask in a school, at least a little while longer, while COVID’s circulating in our communities,” Thompson said.

On Feb. 28, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba issued guidance to its members in light of the lifting restrictions.

It recommended mask use, but stated repeatedly patients must not be turned away and can’t be denied care even if they are unmasked, unvaccinated or have COVID-19 symptoms.

After receiving feedback from members, the college updated its guidance March 8, instead focusing on the continued promotion of masks in clinics. It suggested offering masks to unmasked patients, scheduling virtual visits when possible, or asking unmasked patients to wait in their car instead of in the waiting room.

“Physicians must apply their knowledge, skill and judgement to reduce the risk for everyone present at the clinic; however, patients cannot be denied in-person care. Following these steps allows you to treat patients with COVID-19 symptoms, with COVID-19, unvaccinated or those who do not comply with your clinic’s mask policy, under the same ethical obligations that apply to all patients,” the updated guidance states.

During a news conference Thursday, Thompson said Doctors Manitoba wasn’t consulted when the college issued its initial guidance. He said physicians have always had a duty to care for patients, and that doesn’t change because of the provincial restrictions being lifted.

“Physicians do have a duty to provide care… how that care is provided is a clinical decision that is up to the physician in conjunction with their patient. There are other options that could allow for a more safe encounter,” Thompson said.

He hopes doctors and health-care workers don’t face threats or violence over the mask requirement, and emphasized they also have a duty to protect the most vulnerable.

“I would hope that Manitobans understand that it’s our civic duty to take care of one another,” Thompson said.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca