Why we're asking our patients, visitors and vendors to wear a mask
Everyone entering UHN must wear a medical mask. Medical masks are available at the hospital entrances.
If you arrive wearing an N95 respirator or KN95-style mask, you may continue to wear it under your hospital medical mask. UHN's medical masks have undergone quality assessments to ensure they are appropriate for hospital use.
Patients must wear a mask at all times while inside the hospital, including inpatients when leaving their room or when others are within 2 metres of them inside their room.
All staff, Essential Care Partners, visitors, vendors, suppliers and contractors must wear their medical mask at all times, except in areas designated for eating and drinking.
Medical exemptions will only be considered for patients, not for Essential Care Partners or other visitors.
Exemptions must be pre-approved by your UHN doctor. If this is your first time coming to UHN, contact the clinic or care area you will be visiting
before coming to the hospital to ask for a medical exemption.
When you arrive:
- Review the entrance self-screening posters.
- Clean your hands.
- Collect and put on a medical mask, covering your nose, mouth and chin. Clean your hands again.
- Maintain physical distancing from others as well as you can.
- Go directly to your care area and check in with registration staff for additional screening.
What if I can't or don't want to wear a mask?
If you are a patient who has a legitimate medical condition that prevents you from wearing a mask, contact your UHN doctor or nurse practitioner's office
before your first appointment. If your exemption is approved, you will receive a Face Mask Exemption Form. Bring your approved exemption form with your to the hospital, as you will be asked to show it by hospital staff. You will be given a face shield to wear instead.
If you have questions or health concerns about wearing a mask, please let your health care team know before arriving for your appointment.
Inpatients — Where do inpatients have to wear a mask?
Inpatients must wear a medical mask when leaving their room for any reason.
When in your room, please wear a mask when:
- interacting with your health care team
- visiting with your Essential Care Partner
- you cannot stay away from other patients sharing your room, such as when getting to the bathroom
Ask your health care team for a mask. Please
do not use a mask from home.