By Canadian Press

Postal workers can wear their N95s at work — but only with a company mask on top

Jan 27, 2022 | 3:12 PM

OTTAWA — Canada Post says its employees will be able to wear N95 masks at work, but only if they wear a disposable medical mask they have provided on top. 

It has issued new guidance to employees saying it is distributing millions of high-grade medical masks to workers. 

Canada Post says some employees, for example working in pairs, will be given N95 masks but they would need a “fit test by a qualified professional” before they can be worn on their own. 

It says other workers who want to wear their own N95 mask must put a disposable medical mask, provided by Canada Post, on top. 

Canada Post drew criticism last week for refusing to let employees bring their own N95 masks to work. 

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The Crown corporation said employees had to use a Canada Post-issued non-medical cloth or disposable medical mask, or they would be sent home.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said research shows N95 masks offer better protection against the more transmissible Omicron variant than disposable medical masks. 

It wants the postal service to consider distributing them to additional workers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 27, 2022. 

The Canadian Press