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In alignment with many hospitals across Ontario, Almonte General Hospital and Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital are easing some pandemic restrictions. 

Masking is optional in non-patient areas, including public hallways, offices, and meeting rooms. All staff, visitors and patients continue to be required to wear a mask upon entering any patient care areas, including hallways and waiting rooms. Inpatients are encouraged to wear a mask when leaving their patient room. Masking is still required in Fairview Manor in compliance with direction from the Ministry of Long-Term Care.

“Our first responsibility as health care providers is protecting the health and safety of our patients and by continuing to mask in patient-care areas we make that our priority. Having the choice to remove masks in non-clinical areas marks an exciting step in our return to ‘normal’ life and away from pandemic restrictions.  This will be an important boost to the morale of our extremely hard-working staff,” notes Dr. Allyson Champagne, Chief of Staff at Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital.

“Recognizing high rates of immunity to COVID in the community and decreasing severity of illness, we are striving for a balance between our commitment to providing a safe environment for our patients and reducing undue burden on staff and visitors,” adds Dr. Graeme McKillop, Chief of Staff at Almonte General Hospital.  “We have appreciated everyone’s cooperation with all of the measures we have put in place since the pandemic began.  It’s nice to be in a position where we can give people the opportunity to stop doing something.”

In addition, the cafeterias will now be open to visitors, although visitors are not permitted to eat or drink in patient rooms.

“Thank you to our community and to our care teams for your support throughout the pandemic,” sums up President and CEO Mary Wilson Trider. “We will continue to monitor and adjust our policies as appropriate and in-line with Public Health Ontario recommendations. Our focus is always to keep our patients and staff safe."

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