WECHU updates COVID-19 masking and screening policies

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit in Windsor, Ont.,on Monday, Nov.2, 2020. (Chris Campbell / CTV Windsor)

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has modified their masking and symptom screening policies.

The changes are effective Monday, May 1, 2023.

Throughout the pandemic, WECHU has asked all staff and visitors to wear a mask while accessing our programs and services.

The health unit says with recent changes to COVID-19 guidance from Ontario’s Ministry of Health, along with the steady trends of declining infections in COVID-19 cases locally, the WECHU is updating our masking requirements and other infection prevention and control practices for all visitors and staff.

“While it will be optional to wear a mask in WECHU offices, it remains strongly encouraged that visitors wear a mask when accessing direct client care services,” states a news release.

WECHU staff will be required to wear a medical-grade mask in these same settings.

Throughout the pandemic when arriving at a WECHU office, visitors were actively screened for symptoms of COVID-19 by a member of the health unit staff.

On May 1, visitors will not be actively screened for symptoms at reception.

WECHU continues to encourage members of our community to self-assess for symptoms each day by going to Ontario.ca/self-assessment and to stay home if they are feeling unwell to help prevent the spread of germs.

If you have symptoms, or are unsure of the appropriate next steps, the online self-assessment tool can be utilized.