Additional Updates to VA Maine's Masking Guidance

With the current Maine COVID-19 cases maintaining at low risk levels, VA Maine is updating its masking requirements to be in line with National VA and CDC guidance.

Effective immediately, masking is required for staff, Veterans, and visitors in the high-risk areas listed below, including waiting areas:

• Chemotherapy unit
• Emergency Department
• CLC (staff and visitors only)

Staff in these high-risk areas may remove masks only under the following circumstances:

• They are not in a patient room
• They are not within six feet of a Veteran in a congregate area
• They are not within six feet of a patient in an open treatment area/room

Masking 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
• Where local leadership warrants continued masking

Masking is no longer universally required in the follow locations:

• Acute inpatient medical/surgical units
• Acute inpatient mental health units
• Special 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
• Outpatient areas where a significant proportion of patients have high-risk for complication
• Congregate settings and bedded residential settings (HBPC and residential mental health)

If you have any questions while visiting VA Maine, please ask a VA Maine employee for assistance.