Updated: May 27, 2022
Are you coming to a Providence Care site for a visit? You must wear a face mask for the duration of your visit.
Providence Care Hospital & Providence Transitional Care Centre
All staff, physicians, students, volunteers, vendors, and contractors must wear a mask while inside our facilities.
Inpatients are required to wear a mask when leaving the unit and/or when receiving care. If there is a medical reason why a patient/client cannot wear one, the care team will discuss other options. Certified PPE will continue to be used for patients and clients who require it for transportation or if placed on precautions.
Outpatients and visitors are required to wear a face mask to enter the building. While signing in at screening stations they must put on a hospital issued face mask and wear it for the duration of their visit. If they would like to continue to wear their own mask, they must wear the hospital issued mask overtop.
Providence Manor
All staff, regardless of their work location or role continues to wear masks at all times when in the Home. Staff also wear eye goggles.
Residents are encouraged to wear a mask outside of their rooms and must wear one when they leave a Resident Home Area. Certified PPE will continue to be used for residents who require it for transportation or if placed on precautions.
All General Visitors, Essential Caregivers and Essential Visitors must wear a mask for the duration of their visit. Appropriate eye protection (face shield, goggles) must also be worn.
Community Services
At Community Services locations: All clients, family members and visitors must wear a mask before entering any Community Services building. Clients, family members and visitors are not permitted to wear fabric masks beyond the Screening Desk. If you arrive wearing a fabric mask, you will be given a procedure mask to wear.
At client homes: Clients receiving services in their homes or areas outside of Providence Care facilities are strongly encouraged to wear a mask when receiving care, but as of Mar. 21, 2022, it is no longer required. If a client chooses to they may wear a cloth/fabric mask or be provided with a clean medical-grade face covering. If a client has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or confirmed to have the virus, they will be provided a contact droplet mask and are required to wear it for the duration of the visit.
Clients being transported in Providence Care vehicles are required to wear a mask, unless they have an exemption.
If there are other people in the home (family members/co-inhabitants) while staff is providing care, they are also strongly encouraged to wear a mask, but it is no longer required unless they have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or confirmed to have the virus.
How to wear a face mask properly
Protect yourself and others by ensuring you are wearing your face mask covering properly.
- Wash your hands before putting on your mask
- Wear your mask so it covers your nose, mouth and chin
- Avoid touching the mask while wearing it
- Remove the mask using the straps or ear loops
- Wash your hands after removing your mask
- Dispose of or store your mask responsibly
- Continue to practice physical distancing, even while wearing a mask
Do not
- Do not wear a mask that is damp, dirty or difficult to breathe in
- Do not share your mask with others
- Do not wear your mask under your nose
- Do not pull the mask below your chin or wear the mask on your forehead
- Do not wear the mask hanging from one ear
- Do not touch your mask while wearing it
- Do not remove your mask to speak to others
- Do not increase contact with others because you are wearing a mask
Click here to view a poster with some of the Do’s and Don’ts of wearing a face mask
Cleaning cloth face coverings (English)
Cleaning cloth face coverings (French)
Click here to learn how to put on and remove a face mask properly
Frequently asked questions
Why am I being asked to wear a face mask?
COVID-19 may spread even when people do not have any symptoms. Asking healthy people to wear a face mask helps prevent asymptomatic spread to other patients, clients, visitors and our healthcare providers.
By asking all staff, physicians, patients, clients, volunteers and visitors to wear masks we are
being consistent with emerging research about COVID-19 and the community practice of
wearing masks while in indoor spaces.
What if I don’t want to wear a face mask?
Providence Care strongly encourages all patients, clients and visitors to wear a face mask. If there is a reason why you are unable to wear one, such as a pre-existing health condition which would make it hard for you to breathe with one on, tell the entrance screening staff. They will discuss your situation and options you may have.
Will I get a mask when I arrive?
Our preference is for patients/clients to bring their own face mask from home, in order to conserve our stock of masks for healthcare workers. However, where this is not possible, you will be provided with a mask at the screening station. Our entrance screening staff will ask you to sanitize your hands before putting on the mask. There is information posted on screening stations showing you how to put on a mask properly. You will be required to sanitize your hands again after putting on your mask.
Can I take my mask off once my appointment/visit is over?
Please leave your mask on the entire time you are inside a Providence Care facility. Please remove your mask once you exit the facility. If you need to take it off to eat or drink, or as part of your appointment, first wash/sanitize your hands and then remove your mask carefully, without touching your face.
If you have a disposable (medical or industrial) mask, it must:
- be new and clean (not worn before)
- be worn properly according to the maker’s instructions
- all attached ear loops, straps or ties should be used properly
- not have any tears, holes or vents
- not have exhale vents or valves. Although we know a vented mask may be more comfortable, it does not prevent your germs from spreading to others
