SALISBURY TWP., Pa. — Starting Monday, March 6, Lehigh Valley Health Network will no longer require coronavirus face masks for the public inside hospitals and healthcare facilities in areas not associated with patient care.
- Starting Monday, March 6, coronavirus face masks will no longer be required inside hospitals and healthcare facilities in areas not associated with patient care
- Masking will remain mandatory in all patient care areas at all LVHN locations
- State Health Department data shows two-thirds of Pennsylvanians are “fully vaccinated” against coronavirus
For visitors, that means masks will be a personal choice in areas including cafeterias, gift shops, chapels, pharmacies and patient education and support group meetings on hospital campuses, the hospital network announced.
Masking will remain mandatory in all patient care areas at all LVHN locations, "maintaining an important barrier against the spread of COVID-19 to help keep everyone healthy," the network said in a release.
"Anyone with respiratory illness symptoms is asked to always wear a mask in any LVHN facility," the release said.
LVHN Medicine Department Chairman Dr. Timothy Friel said, “Across the country, hospitals and health networks are transitioning their masking guidance to allow more flexibility in certain areas.
“We feel it’s appropriate given the state of the pandemic and the downward trend locally in positive tests for both COVID-19 and flu.”LVHN Medicine Department Chairman Dr. Timothy Friel
“We feel it’s appropriate given the state of the pandemic and the downward trend locally in positive tests for both COVID-19 and flu.”
Updated signs will be placed in newly mask-optional LVHN locations and masks will be available near patient-care areas.
'Sustained downward trend'
“This is a small change, but one we feel is medically appropriate, based on the sustained downward trend in local COVID-19 transmission,” LVHN Chief Infection Control and Prevention Officer Dr. Alex Benjamin said.
“Just as with prior surges of COVID-19, we can adjust our masking policies and operations as needed to minimize the risk of the ongoing pandemic to our healthcare workers, patients and visitors.”
Benjamin said LVHN continues to urge everyone to be up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations. State Health Department data shows two-thirds of Pennsylvanians are “fully vaccinated,” meaning they received the primary COVID-19 vaccination series. Rates are much lower for boosters.
Here are some examples of how LVHN said the new masking policy will work in different locations:
LVPG practice locations – Masks required, including in the waiting room.
LVHN hospitals – Masks optional to enter, or in non-patient care areas including cafeterias and gift shops. Masks also will be optional in family/visitor waiting areas. Masks are required in the emergency room registration and waiting areas, on inpatient floors, and in all other patient care areas, including in procedure areas and physical therapy/rehabilitation spaces.
Diagnostic care centers – Masks required, including in the waiting room.
ExpressCARE locations – Masks required in the registration area, waiting room and in exam rooms.
Elevators – Masks are optional.
