Claire Dawson
As of May 2021, masks were still required for employees, contractors, and visitors who were not fully vaccinated in buildings providing healthcare in the Department of Veterans Affairs. In April 2023, the VA St. Louis Health Care System (VASTHCS) removed mask requirements in public spaces, but masking is still required in higher-risk areas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of update | April 24, 2023 |
| Vaccinated employees, contractors, and visitors | No masks required indoors or outdoors |
| Unvaccinated employees | Masks required in VA buildings |
| Health care facilities | Masks required for all personnel and visitors |
| St. Louis Health Care System | Masking required in higher-risk areas |
| Public spaces in St. Louis Health Care System | Masks not required |
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What You'll Learn
Mask mandate remains in VA healthcare facilities
As of May 2021, masks were still required in VA healthcare facilities. While the VA Secretary, Denis McDonough, loosened mask restrictions for the department, this did not extend to buildings providing healthcare. This means that all VA personnel and visitors must wear masks in healthcare facilities. The mandate also applies to employees who are not fully vaccinated, who are expected to wear masks in VA buildings.
The mask mandate in VA healthcare facilities is in line with federal, state, and local authorities' guidelines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks or physically distance in most settings, except where required by federal, state, or local laws. The CDC's guidance also emphasizes that masks remain crucial in healthcare settings, and businesses are generally free to implement their own mask requirements.
In the state of Virginia, masks are encouraged by public health officials to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and there is no legal barrier to wearing one. Federal law also requires masks on public transportation, including planes, buses, and trains.
While masking requirements have been relaxed in some VA locations, certain high-risk areas, such as intensive care units and operating rooms, continue to enforce masking. Patients and their caregivers may also request that staff wear masks during their care visits. The VA St. Louis Health Care System, for example, has expanded visiting hours but still requires masking in specific units and departments.
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Masking no longer required in public spaces in VA hospitals
As of April 24, 2023, the VA St. Louis Health Care System (VASTLHCS) has lifted its mask mandate in public spaces. This means that masks are no longer required in hallways, lobbies, tunnels, elevators, and most waiting rooms, including all community-based clinics and annexes. However, masking is still required in certain high-risk areas within VASTLHCS, such as the Spinal Cord Injury Unit and Community Living Center at Jefferson Barracks. Similarly, specific areas within the John Cochran division, including the Emergency Room, Urgent Care, Intensive Care Units, Operating Rooms, and Dialysis, continue to require masking.
The updated masking policy at VASTLHCS aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) guidance, which states that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks or physically distance in most settings. Following this guidance, the VA Secretary, Denis McDonough, announced that fully vaccinated employees, contractors, and visitors could go without masks while on Department of Veterans Affairs property, except within buildings providing healthcare services.
It is important to note that patients or their caregivers at VASTLHCS can request that staff wear masks during their care visits. This accommodation ensures that individuals who feel more comfortable with masks can still have their preferences respected. The VA has also expanded visiting hours at the John Cochran VA Hospital to 7 days a week, from 10 am to 9 pm, while children under 10 are not allowed to visit patient wards or be left unattended.
While masking requirements have relaxed in many areas, masks remain essential in healthcare facilities. The VA will continue to provide updates as health guidance evolves, and employees who are not fully vaccinated are expected to wear masks in VA buildings. The VA's decisions are informed by the CDC's recommendations and federal, state, and local regulations. This adaptive approach to masking requirements allows the VA to balance public health needs with the comfort and preferences of its patients, visitors, and staff.
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Unvaccinated employees must wear masks in VA buildings
As of May 2021, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requires unvaccinated employees to wear masks in VA buildings. This mandate was announced by VA Secretary Denis McDonough, who loosened mask restrictions following updated COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC advised that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks or physically distance in most settings. However, the VA's policy change maintains a mask mandate for unvaccinated employees and all individuals in healthcare facilities. This includes higher-risk areas such as intensive care units and emergency rooms.
The VA's decision to adhere to federal building-occupancy limits and keep many employees working remotely reflects its cautious approach to the pandemic. While the updated policy allows vaccinated employees and visitors to go maskless in most indoor and outdoor spaces, it is important to note that masking is still required in certain high-risk areas within VA hospitals.
The VA's mask mandate for unvaccinated employees aligns with the CDC's guidance, which emphasizes the importance of masks in preventing the spread of COVID-19. This mandate ensures the safety of both employees and patients within VA buildings. It is worth noting that patients or their caregivers may request that staff wear masks during their care visits, even in locations where masking is no longer mandatory.
While the VA has lifted masking requirements in public spaces such as hallways, lobbies, and most waiting rooms, it continues to prioritize the safety and well-being of its employees and patients. The VA's approach to mask mandates is adaptable, and it will provide updates as health guidance evolves. This flexibility ensures that the VA can promptly respond to changing circumstances and implement necessary measures to protect its community.
In summary, as of May 2021, the VA requires unvaccinated employees to wear masks in its buildings, excluding healthcare facilities where all individuals must be masked. This policy aligns with CDC recommendations and aims to safeguard the health of both employees and patients. The VA's approach to mask mandates remains adaptable, prioritizing the well-being of its community.
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Visitors must wear masks in VA healthcare buildings
As of May 2021, masks are no longer mandatory for fully vaccinated employees, contractors, and visitors in indoor or outdoor spaces on Department of Veterans Affairs property. However, this does not apply to buildings providing healthcare, where masks continue to be mandatory for all personnel and visitors.
The VA St. Louis Health Care System (VASTLHCS) has also updated its masking policy. As of April 24, 2023, masking is no longer required in public spaces, including hallways, lobbies, tunnels, elevators, and most waiting rooms, as well as in community-based clinics and annexes. However, masking is still required in higher-risk areas, such as the Spinal Cord Injury Unit and specific departments at the John Cochran VA Hospital.
The VA will continue to follow federal building-occupancy limits and maintain remote work arrangements for many employees. Those who are not fully vaccinated are expected to wear masks in VA buildings. The VA will provide updates as health guidance evolves.
It is important to note that masks are an effective tool to protect oneself and others from COVID-19. Even when not required, fully vaccinated individuals may choose to continue wearing masks if it makes them more comfortable. There is no legal barrier to wearing a mask for protection against the virus, and individuals should not be penalized for doing so.
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Patients can request staff to wear masks during their visit
As of April 24, 2023, the VA St. Louis Health Care System (VASTHCS) has made a significant change to its COVID-19 measures, removing the requirement for masks in public areas such as hallways, lobbies, elevators, and most waiting rooms. Despite this, patients can still request that staff wear masks during their visit if they feel more comfortable. This is an important option for patients, especially as masks have been proven to be an effective tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
The VA St. Louis Health Care System is not the only VA hospital to make this change, and it is likely that other hospitals in the Department of Veterans Affairs will follow suit. This shift in policy is in line with updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which states that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks in most indoor and outdoor spaces.
However, it is important to note that masks are still required in certain high-risk areas within the VA St. Louis Health Care System, such as intensive care units, operating rooms, and dialysis. Patients and their caregivers can be reassured that masks will continue to be available at the main hospital entrance and at other designated masking zone locations.
While the updated policy allows fully vaccinated employees, contractors, and visitors to go without masks in most areas of VA hospitals, it is important to respect the wishes of patients who feel safer with staff wearing masks during their care. This balance between updated guidance and patient comfort is an important consideration for VA hospitals as they adapt to the evolving COVID-19 situation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, masks are still required in VA hospitals, especially in buildings providing healthcare.
Masks are required in higher-risk areas, including intensive care units, operating rooms, and emergency departments.
All personnel, patients, and visitors must wear masks in VA hospitals' healthcare facilities.
Yes, fully vaccinated employees, contractors, and visitors are not required to wear masks outdoors or in non-healthcare buildings on Department of Veterans Affairs property.
