Updated Masking Requirements Begin December 4, 2025

As we approach the 2025/26 respiratory season, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is taking steps to help protect patients, families, and health care teams from respiratory and influenza-type illnesses.

Starting December 4, 2025, all staff, professional staff, learners, volunteers, and Essential Care Partners/Care Partners will be required to wear a Level 3 procedure mask when in the Emergency Department, on specific units, and when entering any inpatient room.

Here’s what you need to know:

1A Inpatient Units (1A Medicine and 1A Acute Oncology)

• A Level 3 mask is required at all times while on the unit, including inside patient rooms and anywhere in the clinical area.

All Other Inpatient Units

• Staff, professional staff, learners and volunteers must wear a Level 3 mask when: entering a patient room, providing direct patient care, transporting patients, or when unable to maintain six feet of physical distance.
• ECPs/CPs must wear a Level 3 mask when entering a patient room or when unable to maintain distancing.

Emergency Department

• Staff, professional staff, learners and volunteers must wear a Level 3 mask when entering patient rooms, providing care, transporting patients, or when distancing isn’t possible.
• Patients and ECPs/CPs must wear a Level 3 mask at all times in the Emergency Department.

Masks are available at all public entrances on our sanitizing stands, and hand sanitizer dispensers are located throughout the Hospital. We strongly encourage everyone to practice hand hygiene and to wear a mask to help reduce the spread of illness.

Our Infection Prevention and Control team continues to monitor infection trends closely. Any updates to masking requirements or other safety measures will be communicated clearly and promptly.

Thank you for your continued cooperation in helping us keep our Hospital and community safe.