As of Wednesday, March 6, 2024, masking is strongly encouraged for all patients, visitors and staff at Hackensack Meridian Health facilities. Please note, there are some instances when wearing a mask is still required:

• When isolation precautions (aka transmission-based precautions) are in place (ex. confirmed or suspected COVID-19, flu, etc.);
• Upon request by the patient or the patient’s representative;
• Specific areas of the hospital/facility where highly vulnerable patients are receiving care (e.g. NICU);
• When a patient is experiencing respiratory symptoms (i.e. coughing, difficulty breathing, sneezing, or nasal congestion);
• After exposure to someone diagnosed with COVID-19 without wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

Masks will continue to be provided at all Hackensack Meridian Health locations. Patients, visitors or team members who would like to continue wearing a mask are free to do so.

Hackensack Meridian Health’s masking guidance may change based on COVID-19 prevalence within its counties. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 activity and determine masking guidance on a county by county basis. Click here for more information. If COVID-19 activity increases in a county, masking requirements may be reinstated for all Hackensack Meridian Health clinical areas (i.e. hospitals, long term care facilities, rehabilitation facilities, physician offices, Urgent Care Centers, Health visits and ambulatory care sites) within that county.

It is recommended that you plan your hospital visit by calling in advance and listening for any visitation limitations or changes in masking guidance. We continue to limit or restrict visitation in high risk areas, in collaboration with the clinical team. The Office of Patient Experience is available to assist or you may email consumerservices@hmhn.org and note the name of the hospital visitation you are inquiring about.

We recognize the importance of having loved ones, friends and family at the bedside during the healing process. Please connect with your local patient experience office and ask about our Care Companion program - a program designed to Keep Families Connected.

Remember, we are all in this together. Our health care team will treat your loved one with respect and courtesy. Please treat our caregivers with respect and courtesy as we are partners in caring for your loved one. The mission for our team is clear: to provide the best and most compassionate care. Patients are our priority. We will get through this together with mutual respect and compassion.