[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/05\/upmc-updated-mask-policy\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/05\/upmc-updated-mask-policy\/","headline":"What to Know About UPMC’s Updated Mask Policy in February 2025","name":"What to Know About UPMC’s Updated Mask Policy in February 2025","description":"As of May 1, 2023, UPMC no longer requires universal masking at most of its facilities. Masking is still required in some clinical areas. Learn more.","datePublished":"2023-05-09","dateModified":"2025-02-12","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/GettyImages-1400053540.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/GettyImages-1400053540.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/05\/upmc-updated-mask-policy\/","about":["COVID-19"],"wordCount":370,"articleBody":"As of Feb. 12, 2025,\u00a0masking is recommended for all people inside UPMC facilities and areas where patient care is provided.\u00a0Masking is required at UPMC Western Maryland.At UPMC, we closely monitor the spread of respiratory illness. We are currently seeing substantial levels of respiratory illness due to several viruses. Masking will help to decrease the risk of spreading these potentially serious respiratory illnesses among our patients and staff.People are encouraged to wear masks inside the following UPMC sites:Freestanding medical offices.Hospitals.Medical buildings where patient care is provided.Outpatient medical centers.Senior living facilities.For convenience, masks are always available at UPMC facilities. Here\u2019s what to know about our current masking policy.Do I Need to Wear a Mask at UPMC?Masking is currently required at UPMC Western Maryland. Masking is encouraged at all other UPMC locations where patient care occurs.Masking applies to all people*, including patients, visitors, support persons, staff, and others.*If you can\u2019t wear a mask for medical reason(s), please talk with a staff member about reasonable accommodations.*Children aged 2 and younger shouldn\u2019t wear a mask.If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness, please tell your health care providers before coming. That gives us time to take the proper steps to protect others from infection.Also, visitors or support persons should consider delaying their visit if:They feel sick.They have a fever.They have a respiratory illness.They have a stomach illness.Why UPMC\u2019s Masking Policy Is ChangingUPMC monitors the threat of respiratory illnesses in our community. Respiratory virus transmission has increased, so we are encouraging all people to wear masks inside UPMC facilities and areas where patient care is provided.When the level of respiratory illness decreases, only people with respiratory illness symptoms will be encouraged to wear masks.At UPMC, we remain committed to protecting people throughout our communities.\u00a0In addition to masking, good hand hygiene helps reduce the risk of spreading infection. Let\u2019s do the right thing and wash our hands.To get up-to-date information about masking before your visit, call 833-390-9489 or\u00a0visit our website.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on May 9, 2023, and was last reviewed on February 12, 2025."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2023","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"05","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/\/05\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What to Know About UPMC’s Updated Mask Policy in February 2025","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/05\/upmc-updated-mask-policy\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]