Rochester Regional Health is updating its masking and visitation guidance, following the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on May 11, 2023.
As of August 21, 2023, the following policies are in effect:
Masking Guidelines
Masking will be optional for individuals in most health care facilities unless signage indicates otherwise.
For the safety of our high-risk and/or immunocompromised patients, masking remains mandatory for the following individuals/facilities:
- Where patients are being treated for cancer, or have other immunocompromising conditions.
- For anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 or has a known exposure to COVID-19 (must be worn for 10 days, per CDC guidelines).
- Anyone showing signs of respiratory illness (coughing, sneezing, fever, runny nose, etc.)
In rare cases, the Infection Prevention team may reinstitute a temporary mask mandate.
Emergency Department Visitation Hours
- Rochester General Hospital
- Patients ages 18 and under: 2 visitors per patient
- Patients ages 19 and older: 1 visitor per patient
- Due to capacity constraints, visitor restrictions may be put into place at any time.
- Unity Hospital: 24 hours a day, with 1 visitor per patient
- Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic: 24 hours a day, with 1 visitor per patient
- Newark-Wayne Community Hospital: 24 hours a day, with 1 visitor per patient
- United Memorial Medical Center: 24 hours a day, with 1 visitor per patient
- Canton-Potsdam Hospital: 24 hours a day, with 1 visitor per patient
- Gouverneur Hospital: 24 hours a day, with 1 visitor per patient
- Massena Hospital: 24 hours a day, with 1 visitor per patient
Hospital Visitation Hours
- Rochester General Hospital: 9 am – 8 pm (Guests need to check in)
- Unity Hospital: 9 am – 8 pm (Guests need to check in)
- Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic: 8 am – 8 pm
- Newark-Wayne Community Hospital: 8 am – 8 pm
- United Memorial Medical Center: 9 am – 7 pm
- Canton-Potsdam Hospital: 9 am – 8 pm
- Gouverneur Hospital: 9 am – 8 pm
- Massena Hospital: 9 am – 8 pm
* St. Lawrence Health allows a patient’s identified Care partner to visit 24/7 as part of the Care Partner program
Unit-Based Hospital Visitation Policies
Ambulatory Surgery Center Visitation Policies
Two (2) visitors are allowed throughout the patient's stay. Only one (1) visitor is allowed at a time at the bedside.
One visitor will be able to accompany the patient during registration and in the pre-anesthesia and recovery areas. The second visitor will be asked to wait in their car during the surgical procedure. The Ambulatory Surgery Center staff will call the visitor when it’s appropriate to visit the patient in recovery.
Masks are not required to be worn but are recommended.
