VA Loma Linda updates COVID-19 masking policy

Dr. Shereef Elnahal, Under Secretary for Health, has released updated VA COVID-19 masking guidance for medical facilities.

Masking will only be required for staff, veterans, and visitors in high-risk areas.

Due to the risk to vulnerable patients, masking is still required in the following high-risk locations, including waiting rooms:

• Oncology
• Dialysis
• Emergency Department
• Community Living Center

Masking also continues to be required: 

• for those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 or other viral respiratory infections. 
• for VA staff during clinical encounters when requested by a Veteran, caregiver, or family member; or 
• where local leadership warrants continued masking is required.

Active screening at entry points to the healthcare system buildings will be discontinued. 

Building entries closed during the pandemic to funnel staff and patients to screening stations will be opened.

Staff members will continue to be present at primary entrances to patient care buildings to offer masks to those who wish to wear them.

Visitation restrictions will be eliminated or reduced depending on the area where patient care is delivered. Visitation of COVID positive patients will be permitted, with visitors required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and documentation of acknowledgment of the risk of visiting. Visitors may present at any time of day; however, due to multi-person rooms and privacy issues, overnight visitors will be limited to instances in which the care team determines that an overnight visitor is critical to the patient’s recovery.

For more information please contact:
Ms. Mikaela Cade
Chief Communications Officer
VA Loma Linda Healthcare System
Mikaela.cade@va.gov
(909) 825-7083 ext. 6193
(909) 734 -7833