Non-Medical Masks in Community Settings - Effective October 7
Health facilities across Manitoba, including hospitals and personal care homes, have required patients and visitors to wear non-medical masks when in attendance since September 1, 2020.
Since that time, cases of COVID-19 have continued to rise throughout the province. In response to this increase, and in advance of influenza season, visitors to – and clients of – ANY health care setting in Manitoba will be required to wear a non-medical mask. Accommodations do exist for those who are not able to wear a mask for medical reasons.
This requirement will take effect Wednesday, October 7, 2020 for all areas of the province outside the Winnipeg Metropolitan Area, where non-medical masks are already required under Public Health Order. This requirement will remain in effect across the province even as changes may be made to the province’s Pandemic Response System levels.
ALL health services owned or operated by a Service Delivery Organization (SDO) or that hold a service purchase agreement with an SDO are expected to implement this non-medical mask requirement. This includes Access Centres, primary care offices located in Southern Health-Santé Sud facilities and community agencies associated with Southern Health-Santé Sud are included in this requirement.
All service providers are expected to alert clients/patients and customers of the requirement for non-medical masks and the exceptions for those individuals who are unable to wear a mask for a medical reason.
It is expected that service providers will make every effort to accommodate all patients – even in the event they do not have or refuse to wear a mask. Please refer to the “COVID-19 Guidance for Non-Medical Masks in Community Settings” attached for more information and direction on exceptions to these requirements.
Documents have been developed as follows:
- Guidance for Non-Medical Masks in Community Settings
- Script for Clinics - English
- Script for Clinics - French
- Poster
The poster is an updated poster that was released when the September 1st changes came into effect for health facilities. Please update the posters for these facilities as well.
Directors of Health Services and Program Directors (or delegates) review and implement as applicable.
Info Sharing
Provincial Media releases:
