Hamilton’s hospitals are applauding the city’s decision to make masks mandatory.

On Friday, city councillors approved a bylaw that make face coverings mandatory in indoor public and commercial spaces.

That went into effect Monday.

Experts at Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton say mask wearing is an important step in keeping COVID-19 at bay.

“Although our community has done a commendable job in mitigating the spread of COVID-19, ongoing prevention is key to avoiding a future surge,” says Dr. Marek Smieja, microbiologist and infectious disease physician.

The new bylaw is keeping with policies already in place at Hamilton hospitals.

All hospital visitors and patients, with the exception of in-patients, are required to wear masks.

“By wearing a mask during your hospital visit, you’re helping to protect us,” says Dr. Kuldeep Sidhu, chief of emergency services at Hamilton Health Sciences.

Patients, visitors and staff are provided a mask when entering hospitals and additional precautions including symptom screening remain in place.