[Translated from French]

The Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) de l’Outaouais has decided to reinstate mandatory mask wearing upon entry into its care facilities.

Starting on Tuesday, wearing a mask is mandatory in hospital centres, including the outpatient ward, the Pierre-Janet mental health hospital (including units 5 and 6 of the juvenile wing), the Physical rehabilitation centre, La RessourSe, residential and long-term care centres and seniors’ homes and alternative housing.

The CISSS de l’Outaouais explains its decision by citing “an early start to the influenza season, an increase in respiratory viruses (particularly influenza A), an increase in outbreaks, a high number of visits to emergency rooms for respiratory symptoms, and the current overload in emergency rooms.”

This measure aims to “limit the transmission of viruses, protect clients, healthcare workers and vulnerable individuals, as well as prevent outbreaks,” it adds.