Visitors to all Alberta Health Services (AHS) sites provincewide will no longer be greeted by front-door COVID-19 screeners effective April 1, as cases of respiratory illness continue to decrease.

Anyone who is feeling unwell, regardless of whether they have tested positive for a respiratory virus, should still avoid visiting acute care or continuing care settings unless receiving care.

Masks will continue to be available at the entrance of AHS and Covenant sites across the province, as continuous masking will remain in place for all visitors, as well as staff, physicians, and volunteers at all acute care, continuing care and community sites.

The AHS masking directive remains in place as an important strategy for source control and prevention of spread of illness between staff/physicians and their colleagues, as well as the vulnerable patient populations for whom AHS provides care and who are at greatest risk for adverse outcomes.

Albertans are also reminded to continue practising hand hygiene while at an AHS site.