Face Coverings
Wearing a mask or face covering provides a layer of
protection that can help to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 or prevent
transmission of the virus if you are asymptomatic.
Individual circumstances are unique, and everyone's
situation will be different. It is important that we all be mindful that there
are members of this community who remain at higher risk for serious outcomes.
The Brant County Health Unit supports the use of masks in
indoor public settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained. BCHU reminds
the community to remain respectful of others, whether or not they choose to
wear a mask.
As of June 11, 2022, masking will no longer be required
in most settings across Ontario, including public transit.
Masks are still required to be worn in long-term care and retirement homes
and are recommended to be worn in higher-risk congregate living settings. Please
note, organizations can choose to continue masking policies as part of their
ongoing operations. For more information, visit the
Province’s website.
Face masks continue to be
required when accessing clinical services at the Health Unit and in the
community. As part of a health care setting, BCHU requires
masks to be worn while attending our COVID-19 vaccine clinics or when accessing
clinical services (e.g., dental, sexual health services) in-person at the
Health Unit.
The use of masks is
encouraged for community members who are accessing non-clinical services, such
as attending courses or classes at the health unit.
Situations where individuals must wear a mask
Masks are still required in all indoor public settings in the scenarios listed below.
Following international travel
| 14 days after arriving in Canada
|
A member of your household has COVID-19
| 10 days after the date you were last exposed to the COVID-19 case
|
You are a close contact of a non-household member with COVID-19
| 10 days after the date you were last exposed to the COVID-19 case
|
You previously tested positive for COVID-19 or had COVID-19 symptoms
| 10 days after your symptoms started or you tested positive (whichever occured earlier)
|
For further
information, please visit the Ontario Government’s
website.
The Government of Canada updated their guidelines on face coverings on April 22, 2022:
Well-designed and well-fitting masks or face coverings can prevent the spread of your infectious respiratory droplets. They may also help protect you from the infectious respiratory droplets of others.
How well a mask or face covering works depends on the materials used, how the mask is made, and most importantly, how well it fits.
Wearing a face covering is not a replacement for other preventative measures, such as vaccination and physical distancing.
When wearing a face covering, it is important to remember:
- Do not share your face covering with others
- Wash your hands before putting on and after taking off a mask
- Place the face covering over your nose, mouth and chin
- Avoid touching your face and face covering while using it
- Change your face covering as soon as it is moist or dirty
- Do not leave your face covering tucked under the chin, hanging from your ear, or on your forehead
- Remove the face covering by the ear loops without touching the front of the face covering
- Put used face covering(s) in a plastic bag or directly in the laundry bin to be washed
- Launder cloth face coverings after use with other items using the hot cycle and dryer
- Dispose of disposable face coverings (one-time use) in a sealed garbage
Face shields do
not replace masks or face coverings.
A face shield is used to protect the eyes of the person wearing it. Using a face shield without a mask won't protect:
- you from potentially inhaling infectious respiratory droplets exhaled by others
- others from your infectious respiratory droplets, as they can escape around the face shield
If you're unable to wear a mask or face covering, you may want to wear a face shield. Choose one that extends around the sides of the face and below the chin. You'll still need to:
- maintain physical distancing of 2 metres
- practise good hand hygiene, especially if you touch the face shield
Masks with exhalation valves or vents are
not recommended. These masks do not protect others from COVID-19 or limit the spread of the virus. This is because they allow infectious respiratory droplets to spread outside the mask.
Wearing a face covering helps protect others from your respiratory droplets. The covering works to contain your respiratory droplets when you talk, cough or sneeze. You are protected when others wear a face covering.
Face coverings are not a replacement for other public health measures. You must continue to:
- Stay home if you have any symptoms and get tested
- Maintain physical distancing (at least two metres) whenever possible
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
