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Back to SearchFor the latest and up-to-date information on masking guidelines at CHEO, visit our face masks at CHEO page.
Masks work. They help prevent the spread of illness. And that matters at CHEO because we care for children who are extremely vulnerable to illnesses like flu, RSV and COVID-19.
Following careful consideration and consultation, CHEO is implementing new masking guidelines. Effective Thursday, June 1, 2023, CHEO will have two masking zones clearly identified throughout all CHEO locations:
- Mandatory: Masking will be mandatory in clinical and waiting areas
- Recommended: Masking will be recommended in all other areas of the CHEO
These signs will mark when you are entering and exiting each zone:
What is changing
Effective today, masks are recommended but no longer required in public areas and non-clinical areas, such as hallways, elevators, cafeterias and coffee shops. This applies to children, youth, families, visitors, staff and medical staff. This is a low-risk step that provides people with more flexibility and helps us recover as a community.
What is not changing
Children (when appropriate), youth, families, staff and medical staff will continue to always wear masks when engaged in clinical care, including clinics, inpatient units, treatment spaces and waiting areas.
Why change?
This decision was not made lightly, given the importance we place on protecting our staff and the children and youth we care for, particularly those whose medical conditions leave them more vulnerable to infection. The decision comes after having monitored various indicators to help determine the right timing for changes to be made:
- • The wastewater markers have stabilized.
- • The number of COVID-19 outbreaks in our area has also declined.
- • The Government of Ontario has lifted the required masking mandate from hospitals and other health-care settings.
- • Other hospitals in the region have made or are making the same changes, based on a recommendation from the Champlain region’s committee for infection, prevention and control.
With all this information, we are now prepared to take this next step in mask use. We will actively monitor hospital and other public health indicators and make further adjustments as appropriate. In addition, when the colder weather arrives, we will implement our peak viral season safety measures — something that is and has been standard practice at CHEO.
To help protect one another, we are still screening for viral illness among staff, medical staff and everyone else coming to CHEO.
We thank everyone in the community for your continued support in keeping CHEO safe.
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Media contact
media@cheo.on.ca
About CHEO
Based in Canada’s capital, CHEO is a globally renowned health institution with a mission to provide exceptional care and support to children, youth and their families. Opening our doors in 1974, we offer a full range of specialized pediatric care and services to children from eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec and Nunavut. Our site is home to a hospital, a children’s treatment centre, a school, a research institute, and is affiliated with the University of Ottawa as an academic health science centre. Named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024 and 2025, we are home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives.