Four major hospitals in Edmonton have reinstated mandatory masking requirements for all patients, visitors, and designated support persons, marking a significant shift in infection control measures as respiratory virus season intensifies.
Which Hospitals Are Affected?
The policy, announced on December 23, 2025, applies to four specific acute care facilities within the Alberta Health Services (AHS) network. The affected hospitals are:
- The University of Alberta Hospital
- The Royal Alexandra Hospital
- The Misericordia Community Hospital
- The Grey Nuns Community Hospital
The mandate requires that masks be worn in all public, clinical, and patient room areas within these sites. The decision was made by AHS leadership in consultation with infection prevention and control experts.
Responding to a Surge in Illness
This move comes as healthcare systems across Canada, including in provinces like Quebec and Ontario, report significant early-season surges in influenza and other respiratory viruses. Long wait times at services like Quebec's Info-Santé and urgent public advisories to avoid emergency rooms highlight a nationwide strain.
The reinstated policy in Edmonton is a proactive measure designed to protect vulnerable patients and reduce transmission within high-risk healthcare environments. It reflects a responsive approach to evolving public health data, similar to precautions being taken in other jurisdictions facing a viral "maelstrom."
What Visitors and Patients Need to Know
Masks will be provided at hospital entrances for those who do not have their own. The requirement is in effect for all visitors and outpatients, with limited exceptions for children under two and individuals with specific medical exemptions.
Healthcare workers in these facilities are also adhering to enhanced respiratory protection protocols in clinical areas. The policy is a clear signal that while pandemic-era mandates have largely faded, targeted infection control measures remain a critical tool for hospital administration during peak virus seasons.
A Broader Context of Health System Pressure
The Edmonton hospital mask mandate is not an isolated event. It occurs against a backdrop of health news from across the country, including early flu season activity, scams targeting seniors, and ongoing challenges in healthcare access. This local decision underscores the continuous balancing act hospitals perform to maintain safe care environments while managing community spread of contagious illnesses.
There is no specified end date for the mandate. AHS officials indicate the requirement will be reviewed regularly based on community transmission rates, hospital admission data for respiratory viruses, and overall capacity within the healthcare system.
