Masks are highly recommended in hospitals and clinics, and required in some areas

March 31, 2023

While Oregon has lifted its rule requiring masking in health care settings as of April 3, hospitals and clinics are still required to follow guidance from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Now, as we prioritize protecting vulnerable patients, Providence is still requiring masks for patients and visitors in some areas. Providence caregivers will also continue to wear masks when providing patient care. See guidelines for patients and visitors below.

Masks are highly recommended in these situations

• For patients, wearing a mask is highly recommended when someone enters your room or is providing care, and whenever you are out of your room (including waiting areas).
• For visitors, wearing a mask is highly recommended when you are entering a patient's room, interacting with physicians and caregivers, or spending time in waiting areas.

Masks are required in some areas and situations 

• Patients and visitors will need to wear a mask as directed, in specific areas of our facilities with vulnerable patients. Examples may include in behavioral health, critical care, dialysis, emergency, maternity, oncology, pediatrics, and skilled nursing.
• Patients will need to wear a mask when they are having symptoms of a respiratory illness. They will also need to wear a mask if they are suspected to have COVID, or until 10 days after testing positive or developing symptoms for COVID.
• Visitors with symptoms of a respiratory illness (or diagnosis of one) should stay home and visit with the patient another way, such as by a phone or video call.

Note that we may need to reinstate universal masking when we have high levels of respiratory viruses circulating in our community (such as influenza, RSV or COVID).