Major Toronto hospital network reinstates masking requirement

The University Health Network (UHN) is making masks mandatory as respiratory illness season ramps up.

The University Health Network (UHN) is making masks mandatory as respiratory illness season ramps up.

Starting on Oct. 28, visitors to UHN sites will need to wear a mask when receiving or waiting for care.

“This requirement applies to patients, visitors, and staff. You must also still wear a mask in areas where many patients may be at a higher risk of illness,” the hospital network said in a note posted on its website.

Masks will still be optional in common areas such as lobbies and food courts.

UHN includes Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto Rehab, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and other sites.

Dr. Susy Hota, medical director of infection prevention and control at UHN, told CP24 Monday that the masking policy is aimed at trying to head off the next wave of infection going into winter.

“We really wanted to be ahead of the curve in terms of when we expect respiratory viruses to really be taking off,” Hota said. “And looking at what the trends were like last year, for example, we really noticed a lot more respiratory virus activity with COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, which is another common respiratory virus, as of November.”