PrintUNA responds to AHS lifting continuous masking mandate in hospitals and health facilities
United Nurses of Alberta encourages its members to remain vigilant and use the precautionary principle after Alberta Health Services removed the continuous masking requirement for employees in hospitals and health care facilities. This policy change also applies to employees of Covenant Health, CapitalCare and Carewest.
UNA believes the policy should not have been hastily lifted in a blanket fashion without further consultation or providing evidence to support the decision and a plan for reinstatement should transmission rates rise. We are concerned that the change falsely sends a signal to health care workers and the public that precautions against viruses like COVID-19 are no longer necessary. Alberta Health reports that 352 patients are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 in Alberta.
AHS removing the masking requirement in no way diminishes the obligation of health care workers, including nurses, to use every means possible to reduce risk to themselves and their patients. That is why Joint Statement on COVID-19 and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) remains in effect.
The statement from December 2021 outlines PPE standards, including access, point of care risk assessment, and PPE supply and minimum requirements, for front-line health care workers in Alberta.
Respiratory protection should continue to be used based on the hazards presented by the workplace. Mandatory PPE is still required in situations where direct patient care is provided. Employees should refer to the joint statement for all PPE decisions.
Protecting the health and safety of nurses and their ability to provide high-quality care to Alberta patients is UNA’s top priority. PPE was a key factor in protecting the health and safety of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic by helping to prevent exposure to and transmission of the virus.
UNA will continue to pressure AHS to ensure policies following best practice for use of PPE in the workplace are being implemented, including monitoring the impact of removing the continuous masking mandate.
UNA members with any questions or concerns should contact their local executive or Labour Relations Officer at 1-800-252-9394.
United Nurses of Alberta is the union for more than 30,000 Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses and allied health workers.
Additional reading:
Strategic Masking to Protect Patients from All Respiratory Viral Infections (The New England Journal of Medicine, June 14, 2023)
