Some hospitals in Hamilton and Niagara will continue to require mask wearing after Saturday, when Ontario is set to lift some of its remaining mask mandates.

The provincial mandates include inside hospitals and public transportation and are set to expire on June 11 at 12 a.m. They will still remain in place at long-term care facilities and retirement homes, according to Ontario chief medical officer of health Kieran Moore. 

However, Hamilton Health Sciences told CBC in an email that universal masking will continue at all HHS sites until further notice.

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton also said it will continue to require masking of staff, patients and visitors past the June 11 deadline, the centre confirmed, also in an email to CBC Hamilton. 

Christina Cho, manager of public affairs, said St. Joe’s will continue to review updated guidance provided by the Ministry of Health, however.

“Once we review the guidance, we will determine the appropriate next steps and communicate publicly,” she said. “Until then, St. Joe’s will continue following the internal IPAC policy on masking in all areas of the hospital. Everyone entering the hospital must mask while on site.”

Similarly, Niagara Health will continue to maintain mask protocols for people inside hospitals across the region. That includes visiting a patient’s bedside. 

Niagara Health cited wanting to provide a “safe environment” and to decrease the risk of infections. 

Masks will no longer be mandatory on HSR

Hamilton Street Railway (HSR), the city’s public transportation service, will follow the guidance from the province, HSR communications officer Sylvia Peña said.

That means as of Saturday, customers on the HSR will not be required to wear a mask.

Peña says if riders want to wear masks while on HSR, they’re free to do so.