On March 10, 2022, the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) issued a notice stating that wearing a mask in public indoor settings is no longer required by public health. The PHO’s guidance letter to all BC health regulatory colleges included the following paragraph:

“In addition to following masking requirements established by employers and operators as part of their workplace communicable disease plans, I recommend the continued use of medical masks by practitioners and patients/clients in medical offices, private practices and other settings when there is close, in-person patient/client contact. As well, I recommend a continued focus by health care professionals on diligent hand washing, immunization, respecting personal space, regular cleaning and disinfection, ensuring appropriate ventilation, and staying home when sick.”

Accordingly, wearing medical masks during examination and treatment is recommended by the PHO, but not mandatory.  Optometrists should use their professional judgement regarding the use of masks in their practice environment. A decision on mask use, particularly during examination and treatment, should be made jointly with the patient as part of the consent process, and in the context of all the layers of protection an Optometrist has in place to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19.