Starting Friday, family members and other visitors will be required to wear masks in long-term care homes, regardless of their vaccination status.
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The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) said the mandate will apply to areas outside of residents ‘bedrooms, though it also strongly recommended that visitors wear masks while inside residents’ bedrooms.
SHA said the mandate is an effort to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission in long-term care facilities.
As of Thursday morning, there were seven outbreaks of COVID-19 in long-term care homes.
The masking protocol will apply to both SHA long-term care homes and members.
“This will provide additional protection for all of our residents during this fourth wave facing our province,” the SHA said in the statement.
The SHA added that residents are not required to wear a mask outside of their room, but “it is strongly recommended,” especially if they are not fully vaccinated.
Free medical masks are available at screening stations when entering a long-term care home.
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Those who refuse to wear a mask in common areas may be asked to leave, the SHA added.
For more information on the mandate, see the SHA website.
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