University Health Network (UHN) has announced a new requirement for staff, patients and visitors to wear a mask when inside its facilities.<\/p>\n
Masks<\/a> must be worn in all UHN facilities, including Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital and the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as of Tuesday, Nov. 18.<\/p>\n All staff, patients and visitors will be expected to wear a mask in physician offices, waiting rooms for clinics, the emergency department and other outpatient clinical areas. Patients and staff must also wear a mask when delivering or receiving direct care, or when staff are closely interacting with patients in inpatient, outpatient and emergency clinical areas.<\/p>\n Masking remains optional in family lounges, UHN said.<\/p>\n Though not required, UHN is encouraging people to wear masks in public spaces like lobbies, elevators, food courts and corridors.<\/p>\n As was already standard, masking will continue to be mandatory in areas where many patients may be at a higher risk of illness.<\/p>\n UHN said the decision to enact a mask requirement is in response to respiratory virus season or other outbreak conditions. According to data<\/a> from the City of Toronto, the rate of both influenza and COVID-19 has been on the rise.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" University Health Network (UHN) has announced a new requirement for staff, patients and visitors to wear a mask when inside its facilities.<\/p>\n