VA St. Louis Health Care System masking policy and visiting hours have changed

Masking is still required in higher risk areas such as the Spinal Cord Injury Unit and Community
Living Center at Jefferson Barracks, and at the following John Cochran areas: Emergency Room
Dept., Urgent Care/Walk-In Clinic, 9th Floor Testing Clinic, All intensive care units, Operating
Rooms including pre/post op areas, Dialysis, Radiation Oncology, and the Pulmonary Function
Tests Lab. Masks will be available at the main hospital entrance and at masking zone locations.
While masking is no longer required at many VASTLHCS locations, patients or their caregivers
may ask that staff wear a mask during their care visit.

Visiting Hours have expanded at John Cochran VA Hospital for general visitations. The new hours
are 7 days a week, 10am to 9pm. Children under age 10 are NOT allowed to visit in patient wards
or be left unattended at any time. For questions about visiting hours at Jefferson Barracks
Division, continue to contact the nursing staff where the patient is located. Visitors are asked not to
visit hospital facilities if they have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone with
COVID-19.

The safety of Veteran patients and staff remains a high priority. If COVID-19 transmission rates
change drastically, VASTLHCS may return to mandatory masking throughout its facilities, reduce
visiting hours, and enact other measures as required. The public is asked for their continued
patience and to follow masking zone signs when visiting.