The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) will maintain COVID-19 measures for the foreseeable future.

In an email sent to our newsroom Thursday, spokesperson Marcello Bernardo said it includes mandatory masking and entrance screening for patients and visitors.

Bernardo recognized the decline in COVID-related hospitalizations and critical illness, but stressed that vulnerable populations continue to be at heightened risk of infection.

“We serve the most vulnerable of our community, and remain committed to doing everything possible to keep patients and staff safe, including maintaining best practices in infection, prevention, and control,” wrote Bernardo.

As of Saturday, Ontario will lift most remaining COVID-19 mask mandates, with the exception of long-term care and retirement homes.