Continuous masking in AHS facilities

For the past 16 months, Albertans have lived with many protective measures designed to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect our healthcare system from being overwhelmed.

As most restrictions in the general public space are easing as of July 1, all Albertans, including our staff physicians, and volunteers, will need to learn how to live with the ongoing public health reality of COVID-19.

This means entering a phase where there are fewer mandatory barriers on what we can do in our day-to-day lives, while remaining thoughtful about managing potential risks, particularly in healthcare settings. To ensure the safety of all staff, physicians, patients and families, masking will still be required in both continuing care and acute care settings.

Joining me today to tell us more about continuous masking and other ways we are protecting the health and safety of each other and Albertans are:

• Dr. Mark Joffe, Vice President and Medical Director, Cancer Care Alberta, Clinical Support Services and Provincial Clinical Excellence,
• Dr. Laura McDougall, Senior Medical Officer of Health, and
• Dr. Jim Silvius, Senior Medical Director, Provincial Seniors Health and Continuing Care.