The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced that it is relaxing pandemic-era face mask requirements for low-risk areas at VA medical facilities.
According to a press release, VA facilities will no longer universally require visitors to wear masks in most clinical areas. Masks will still be required in high risk areas and waiting areas for transplant units, dialysis, chemotherapy units, emergency department and urgent care, and open bay medical intensive care units, spinal cord injury and community living centers. Visitors to patients in CLCs and SCI may unmask when visiting with a patient in their room.
“Now that the public health emergency has ended, we are updating our masking policies to reflect our new reality while still ensuring the safety of the veterans we serve,” VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal said. “Except for the highest-risk areas and situations, masking will be greatly relaxed for veterans and clinicians at VA health care facilities.”
Masks will still be required for visitors and staff with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection or other viral respiratory infection, for healthcare personnel upon request of a veteran patient, caregiver, or family member, and in regions where local leadership determine that continued masking is warranted.
The department will continue to monitor changes to CDC guidelines and update infection control recommendations accordingly.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the VA oversaw more than 332 million health care appointments to veterans, provided care to 870,000 veterans with COVID-19, and administered vaccines to more than 4.4 million veterans, according to a separate press release. During this period, the VA also delivered more benefits quicker than ever before to veterans. The department processed 1.7 million claims and delivered $112 billion in earned benefits to Veterans with service-connected disabilities in 2022 alone and is currently 15% ahead of schedule for 2023.
Visitors can find more information on VA COVID-19 policies at the department's Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions web page.
