Masking Requirements for Influenza Season

In preparation for respiratory season and potential impacts on our Inpatient Clinical Units and Emergency Department, masking requirements will increase effective Monday, October 19, 2026. These requirements apply to all Essential Care Partners (ECPs)/Care Partners (CPs), staff, professional staff, learners, and volunteers.

Please know that a Level 3 mask must be worn at all times when entering any Inpatient Clinical Unit and while in the Emergency Department.

Here’s what you need to know about the increased masking requirements:

1A Inpatient Units

• All ECPs/CPs, staff, professional staff, learners, and volunteers must wear a minimum Level 3 mask at all times while on units 1A Medicine and 1A Acute Oncology. This includes anywhere within the 1A clinical units and when entering a patient room.

All Other Inpatient Units

• All ECPs/CPs visiting in an inpatient room must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask when entering a patient’s room and whenever they are unable to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing standards within the unit.
• All staff, professional staff, learners and volunteers must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask at all times when entering a patient’s room, when providing direct patient care, including transportation of patients and at any time they are unable to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing.

Emergency Department (ED)

• All patients and ECPs/CPs accompanying a patient must wear a minimum Level 3 mask at all times while in the ED.
• All staff, professional staff, learners and volunteers must wear a minimum Level 3 mask at all times when entering a patient’s room, when providing direct patient care, including transportation of patients and at any time they are unable to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing.

All Other Outpatient Areas

• All patients and ECPs/CPs accompanying a patient must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask at any time they are unable to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing.
•  All staff, professional staff, learners and volunteers must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask at all times when entering a patient’s room, when providing direct patient care, including transportation of patients and at any time they are unable to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing.

Masks are available at all public entrances on our sanitizing stands, and hand sanitizer dispensers are located throughout the Hospital. We strongly encourage everyone to practice hand hygiene and to wear a mask to help reduce the spread of illness.

Our Infection Prevention and Control team continues to monitor infection trends closely. Any updates to masking requirements or other safety measures will be communicated clearly and promptly.

Thank you for your continued cooperation in helping us keep our Hospital and community safe.