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Learn what the PACT Act means for your VA benefits

COVID updates

Find out what you need to know before visiting our facilities.

Masking continues to be required for staff, Veterans, and visitors while in the high-risk areas listed below, including waiting areas:  

  • Transplant units   
  • Dialysis   
  • Chemotherapy units   
  • ED & urgent care   
  • Open Bay Medical ICUs  
  • SCI and CLC (staff and visitors only)   

Masking also continues to be required:

  • for those with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection or other viral respiratory infection
  • for VA staff during clinical encounters when requested by a Veteran, caregiver or family member

Masking is not universally required in the following locations:

  • Acute inpatient medical/surgical units
  • Acute inpatient mental health units
  • Intensive care units with closed rooms
  • Clinical areas where aerosol generating procedures are performed
  • Laboratories collecting or handling specimens from known or suspected COVID-19 patients (e.g., areas where staff are manipulating cultures from known or suspected COVID-19 patients)
  • Congregate settings and bedded residential settings (e.g., blind rehab, residential mental health, homeless shelters)
  • Outpatient areas where a significant proportion of patients have high-risk for complication

VHA updated its COVID-19 Testing Guidebook and no longer requires routine testing for ambulatory procedures or for Veterans leaving and returning to a closed congregate setting. Surveillance testing for CLC and SCI-D Staff is no longer required in all circumstances.

COVID-19 vaccines

Our main hospital and clinics provide COVID-19 vaccines, Monday through Friday during business hours.  There is no need to make an appointment for a COVID vaccine. 

Visit our vaccine and testing page for more information.