Effective April 19, 2023, both Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton announced they will begin phasing out universal masking requirements at all sites where there is no direct patient contact.
Masks will continue to be required for direct patient contact in inpatient and outpatient settings.
For McMaster University staff, faculty and learners working in and visiting these settings, this means that masks are no longer universally mandated in non-clinical areas such as hallways, elevators and cafeterias, as well as teaching, tutorial, classrooms, offices, meeting rooms, break rooms.
These changes are in line with guidance from Public Health Ontario, and with other hospitals and advice at this time.
Masks will remain available at these sites.