Masks will soon be mandatory at Newfoundland and Labrador health-care facilities again.

The province’s health authority says the mask mandate, effective at 8 A.M. Nov. 4, is necessary due to “an increase in respiratory illnesses and outbreaks across Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) facilities.”

NLHS says the decision is based on “current epidemiology, vaccination rates, and the health authority’s capacity to provide care during increased respiratory illness.”