Visitor Policy Updates

Dear family and friends of Mass General inpatients: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, inpatients are allowed two visitors per day between the hours of 11:00 am and 8:00 pm. This will help us create a safe environment for our patients, families and staff. We use masks, hand hygiene and social/physical distancing to help keep everyone safe.

Unit staff will review any exceptions to restrictions with you at the time of your visit.

Note: There are limited exceptions to these restrictions for parents and other adult caregivers of pediatric patients, support persons of obstetric patients, caregivers of patients with a disability and visitors to patients at the end of life.

Visitors who meet the exception criteria, please:

• Call the patient care unit before visiting to make sure it is a good time for you to visit
• Use your phone to communicate with and support your loved one
• Ask a nurse about other options we can provide to help you stay in touch

Pandemic Visiting Guidelines (PDF)

Our Visitor Policy During COVID-19

NOTE: Visitors and Support Persons who are unable to comply with this policy may be asked to leave the facility.

Visitor Screening

Upon arrival at the hospital, all visitors will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. All visitors are encouraged to utilize the Mass General Brigham Pre-screen Pass.

Visitors and support persons will be excluded from visiting if they:

1. Have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or
2. Have active COVID-19 infection (i.e., remain in the isolation period), or
3. Have confirmed COVID-19 exposure and are in the quarantine period. Note that asymptomatic exposed Visitors or Support Persons who remain within their quarantine period may be permitted to visit under limited circumstances at the discretion of local leadership (i.e., Support Person to a patient or Visitors to a patient receiving end-of-life care; see Section on Exceptions to the Visitor Policy for Patients).

Wearing a Mask

Per the Universal Mask Policy, facility-issued face masks are required in all Mass General locations, including in inpatient areas, emergency departments, outpatient settings and peri-procedural areas.

• When you arrive at our facilities, you will be given a procedural or surgical facemask to wear. If you have a face covering from home, you will be asked to replace it with the facemask we provide to wear during your stay or visit. Patients and visitors who choose to wear their own face covering must wear the facility-issued facemask on top
• Inpatients must wear the facility-issued facemask while outside of their room and when staff or visitors enter the room

Exceptions to the masking requirement:

• Some Support Persons may require accommodations for personal protective equipment use according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 
• Visitors who are less than 2 years of age should not be masked per public health guidelines. These individuals may be permitted to visit at the discretion of local leadership
• Additional PPE will be provided as indicated
• There may be some locations where you could remove your face mask for example, to eat or drink in our cafeterias or other locations designated by each facility

Please note: Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Commonwealth of Massachusetts have lifted restrictions so that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks in many settings, patients and visitors to Mass General Brigham hospitals and health care facilities must continue to wear a facility-issued mask when you are at our facilities. Employees will continue to do so, as well. This is for the health and safety of everyone in our care.

Hand Hygiene

Wash your hands frequently, or use the hand sanitizer available throughout the hospital. If you arrive with disposable gloves on, please take them off, throw them away and perform hand hygiene.

Behavior While Visiting

Please check in with the nurses' station on the unit prior to entering the patient's room each time you visit the patient. You may be asked to wear additional personal protective equipment (PPE). Once you are in the patient's room, stay there for the entire visit, except to use the public restroom.

At this time, visitor and patient access to cafeterias and gift shops is no longer restricted. Lounges on the inpatient units are closed.

Leaving the Hospital

Once your visit is over, please exit the hospital immediately. Please do not remove your mask until you are outside the building.

Additional Information

View more visitor information

View ways to stay connected to your loved one during appointments.