(Yellowknife July 31, 2023) Starting immediately, mandatory continuous masking in NWT health and social services facilities will no longer be required.

This change is being made as a result of an updated review of COVID-19 control measures in the health and social services system, and was informed by current practices across Canada.

Continuous masking in Health and Social Services facilities was put in place early in the pandemic as a protective measure for both staff and patients/clients. Covid-19 is now viewed as an endemic respiratory virus, similar to influenza and other common illnesses, and mask use will now be optional for patients/clients and visitors rather than required. Staff will continue to wear masks when providing care to patients or clients in the following situations:

• For patient/clients who have symptoms of respiratory or other illnesses, based on a point-of-care risk assessment;
• When caring for patients under isolation protocols;
• In the event of an outbreak;
• In clinical areas where mask-wearing is routine, such as Operating Rooms. 

Masks will still be available to the public, and NWT health and social services authorities’ facilities will continue to be mask-friendly. This means that we continue to encourage and welcome optional mask use by staff, patients/clients, and visitors to our facilities, and that our staff will gladly don a mask while providing services upon request.