Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services advises the public of updated masking recommendations for health-care facilities for the 2023-24 fall/winter respiratory season, effective Thursday, November 23, 2023. NL Health Services will continue to monitor epidemiology, hospitalizations and outbreaks and masking guidelines will be re-evaluated March 31, 2024.

The public is also reminded that self-screening for COVID-19/respiratory illness remains in effect and visitors/support persons should not visit a health-care facility if they feel ill or are experiencing COVID-19, flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms.

Masking

• Masking is currently encouraged for visitors and support persons in all clinical settings, including while visiting patients and residents and in waiting areas for health-care services/appointments.
• Additional masking protocols may be implemented if there is an outbreak at a facility; visitors/support persons should check with the care team in these situations for the required personal protective equipment.
• Reminders: Individuals who are seeking or receiving health-care services who are symptomatic (i.e. experiencing any one or more symptoms of COVID-19 or respiratory symptoms) are required to wear a mask upon entry and while inside the health-care facility. Visitors/support persons who are feeling unwell or sick should not visit patients/residents or accompany others to appointments.
• Visitors/support persons are also asked to consider the safety of those you are visiting. It can be especially important to wear a mask if you are around others who are at risk of more severe disease and outcomes, including those with chronic conditions, compromised immune systems and older adults or young children.
• Masks continue to be available at health-care facilities across the province. Individuals can wear their own medical mask or a mask provided at the health-care facility.

Self-screening for COVID-19/respiratory illness

• Visitors/support persons are directed to follow signage at health-care facilities and meet the self-screening requirements before proceeding inside the health-care facility. In addition, visitors/support persons can complete self-screening prior to arrival at the facility by visiting the webpage for your zone: Central, Eastern, Labrador-Grenfell and Western.

Visitor Restrictions

• During cold and flu season and throughout the year, there are times when health-care facilities implement visitor restrictions due to COVID-19 or another outbreak among patients/residents. Information regarding visitor restrictions is updated regularly and is available by visiting the webpage for your zone: Central, Eastern, Labrador-Grenfell and Western.

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