Visitors to Northern Health facilities are now required to mask up through the end of spring after the BC Ministry of Health implemented a policy change this week.
A statement issued by the ministry said “as of Jan. 6, 2025, all health-care workers, volunteers, contractors, patients and visitors must wear medical masks in areas where patients are actively receiving care, except when eating and/or drinking.”
This affects all facilities operated by BC’s health authorities and sites contracted by health authorities to provide services like hospitals, long-term care, assisted living, outpatient clinics and ambulatory care.
As of Wednesday, signage informing visitors about the new rules did not appear to be in place at the University Hospital of Northern BC.
While the measure is reminiscent of those implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry’s statement said that they were used before the pandemic.
The statement also clarifies that “any person that comes to the facility for medical care will receive it.”
When Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry rescinded what remained of the COVID-19 health orders in July 2024, the statement said, she warned that infection control measures might be reinstated in future respiratory illness seasons if there was high risk.
“Current surveillance trends show that influenza and RSV activity is increasing, and COVID-19 activity is stable but showing early signs of an increase,” the ministry’s statement said.
Patient care areas are defined as “places where patients, residents and clients are actively receiving care.” Masking rules in place in 2024 mandated use in all areas in medical facilities, not just those where patients received care.
In emergency departments and waiting rooms, patients and those accompanying them must wear a medical mask over their nose and mouth.
Visitors to long-term care and assisted living facilities are asked to wear a medical mask when they’re participating in group events except when eating or drinking. However, they do not need to wear a mask when visiting with a single resident in a patient-care area, multi-bedrooms or communal areas.
Patients at health-care facilities and residents of long-term care and assisted living facilities must wear a mask over their nose and mouth as well as other types of personal protective equipment (PPE) when asked by workers — as long as it can be medically tolerant.
A spokesperson for Northern Health directed The Citizen's request for comment to the Ministry of Health.
