We’ve come a long way from the days of general mask mandates for the public, but a recent move to eliminate the requirement in B.C. health care settings is causing some outcry.

According to a recent BC Ministry of Health release, “People are still encouraged to wear medical masks in health care settings as appropriate,” but it is not mandatory.

Some groups, including Protect Our Province BC and DoNoHarm BC, are questioning the decision. This response comes after B.C. announced that it was launching the spring immunization campaign on April 8.

In January, as part of responding to the respiratory illness season, the ministry said, “Medical masks are required for health care workers, visitors, contractors and volunteers.”

“On Friday, March 28, 2025, Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, declared the end of the 2024-25 respiratory illness season. So, extra measures in health care facilities are no longer required.”

The ministry said that in some cases when additional precautions are required, health care workers will wear masks or respirators.

“The standard that requires use of personal protective equipment and additional precautions based on point-of-care risk assessment remains in place,” the ministry said.

Some groups suggest that the decision not to have masks as a general requirement in B.C. health care settings endangers vulnerable patients and frontline workers. DoNoHarm BC has spoken to health care professionals, patients and other medical experts who have shared their feelings about removing the mask requirement.

Dr. Karina Zeidler, the founder of Protect Our Province BC, said, “The numbers don’t lie: when staff mask in hospitals, it cuts down respiratory illness transmission by a third, while N95 masks can eliminate 98% of exhaled viruses.”

DoNoHarm BC spoke to a cancer patient in Victoria, B.C., who said, “I don’t understand how people can work in cancer care and not want to take this simple step to protect patients.”