The Saskatchewan Health Authority is expanding its mandatory medical masking protocol.

As the number of outbreaks in long-term care homes increase, along with the number of residents infected with COVID-19 and its variants, all families and visitors in SHA long-term care homes and affiliates will now be required to wear a medical mask provided by the care home.

Masks must be worn at all times and will apply to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, and single and multi-resident rooms.

Long-term care residents do not need to mask in their own rooms but are encouraged to wear a mask when outside of their room or in common areas.

The SHA is urgently requesting cooperation from families and visitors, saying they know it is essential for patients and long-term care residents to be supported by loved ones, and that masking is one way they will be able to continue supporting a safe family presence.