VA to Relax Masking Rule at Its Medical Facilities
WASHINGTON — The Dept. of Veterans Affairs is relaxing COVID-era masking rules at its medical facilities in an attempt, it says, to better accommodate individual preferences.
Moving forward, the department said it will base its masking guidelines on the Veterans Health Administration COVID-19 Health Protection Levels (low, medium and high) and health care facilities’ conditions.
When health protection levels are high, masking will remain required. 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.
Previously, 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 Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal in a written statement.
“We’re trying to be as open as possible to veteran and clinician and staff preferences alike, while aligning with CDC guidelines,” he said.
Masking will still be required in high-risk areas such as chemotherapy units, acute inpatient medical/surgical units, intensive care units, post-transplant units, dialysis units, etc. 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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