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UPMC Visitation Restrictions
UPMC Visitation Restrictions

UPMC Visitation Restrictions

New Masking Guidelines

At UPMC, your health and safety are our top priorities.

UPMC has used universal masking as an effective tool to prevent transmission of COVID-19 when the virus was prevalent in the community and the possibility of serious complications and consequences of infection were high.

As of Monday, May 1, 2023, masks are no longer required at most UPMC facilities and locations under the current universal masking guidelines. This decision is based on data showing sustained lower levels of COVID-19 activity and the availability of vaccines to provide protection against serious complications.

UPMC remains an environment welcoming of those choosing to mask, and masks will remain widely available. Note that masking will remain required in specific patient care areas.

In areas where masking is not required:

  • Masks remain available. People are permitted, encouraged, and supported in wearing a mask if they so choose.
  • Patients may ask health care workers caring for them to mask.

UPMC experts continually assess the level of risk due to SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal respiratory viruses as they evolve. We will update these guidelines accordingly.

Masking Remains Required in Certain Areas

Masking remains required for everyone (staff, patients, visitors, and support persons) in clinical areas where there are patients with conditions making them most vulnerable to infection. Those include:

  • Bone marrow transplant units.
  • Solid organ transplant units.
  • Level 3 and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs).

In areas where patients with conditions making them most vulnerable to infection:

  • Masks are mandatory for staff. Staff must wear masks at all times during patient interactions and anywhere patients are or could be present.
  • Patients, support persons, and visitors must wear masks anytime a health care worker is present.
  • Patients may remove their mask when alone.
  • Masking is encouraged but not required when only a patient and support person are present together in these areas.
  • Standard and transmission-based precautions and the COVID-19 PPE Plan remain in effect.

Masking For Standard and Transmission-based Precautions and PPE Plan

Masking may be required for patients, staff, and visitors when part of standard and transmission-based precautions (isolation precautions) and the COVID-19 PPE Plan, including for positive COVID-19 patients.

Check for signage and other designations throughout UPMC facilities and locations to ensure you are masked appropriately for precautions.

All Support Persons in All Care Settings

Support persons are identified by the patient and can be a spouse, partner, family member, or trusted friend. Patients who have someone who can help them manage and communicate about their care often have less anxiety, understand their care better, recover faster, and are better prepared to return home. They are an important part of the care team.

  • UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital NICU support persons need to be over the age of 12 years to visit with a patient during RSV/Flu season. The season begins on October 1st annually and the end date is determined by the Infection Prevention specialist in coordination with the community resources.
  • UPMC Chautauqua support persons need to be over the age of 12 years to visit with a patient in accordance with the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York.
  • UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers will maintain the 18+ age requirement for patient support persons’ safety.
  • Entrance screening, including temperature checks and employee self-screenings, are not required to enter UPMC hospitals, except for UPMC Chautauqua and UPMC Long-Term Care facilities.
    • Screening specifics vary depending on the location and type of service. For more information, see the expandable sections below.
  • If you are not a patient, please do not enter UPMC facilities if you have symptoms of COVID-19 (head cold, throat infection, pneumonia, any flu-like illness, or fever) or have been exposed to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. We trust you to help us keep our patients safe.
  • If you have an appointment at a UPMC outpatient facility, call your provider before your visit if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.