“When health protection levels are high, masking will remain required,” the department said. “However, when health protection levels are low or medium, medical center leadership will conduct a facility risk assessment to determine if it is appropriate for masking to be optional in certain areas at their facility.”
Before the announcement, masking had been required at all times in VA medical facilities, regardless of health protection levels.
“This new policy will ensure the safety of veterans and VA health care providers, while accommodating individual masking preferences,” said VA Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Shereef Elnahal. “We’re trying to be as open as possible to veteran and clinician and staff preferences alike, while aligning with CDC guidelines.”
Regardless of health protection level or healthcare facility conditions, masking will remain required in high-risk areas such as chemotherapy units, acute inpatient medical/surgical units, intensive care units, post-transplant units, dialysis units and other such areas.
Masking will also be required at all times for individuals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 or other viral respiratory infections.
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