UPMC Chautauqua

UPMC is no longer requiring face coverings for patients and staff at most of its facilities and locations. The new guidelines took effect Monday.

“The update to universal masking guidelines reflects the changing state of the pandemic,” UPMC said. “COVID-19 activity is on a sustained decline, following over a year of steady lower levels of infections without a spike due to new variants, and immunity from vaccines and infections has created widespread protection against serious complications.”

Face coverings, however, will remain mandated in specific patient care areas across UPMC’s footprint — bone marrow transplant units and clinics; solid organ transplant units and clinics; and Level 3 and 4 neonatal intensive care units. The ongoing requirement is for staff, patients, visitors and support persons “in clinical areas where we often care for patients with conditions making them most vulnerable to infection.”

The Pittsburgh-based health care organization said its standard safety precautions and transmission-based precautions remain in effect.

While face coverings will be optional in most areas, UPMC said patients at its facilities can ask health care workers caring for them to put on a face mask. “Every health care worker must comply with the request,” UPMC said.