Hailey Tran
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many changes in the way hospitals operate, including visitor policies. While some hospitals, like Norton Healthcare, do not require visitors to prove their vaccination status, others, like Michael Garron Hospital, have implemented a proof of vaccination requirement for entry. Similarly, Yukon hospitals now require non-patient visitors to be vaccinated, while those seeking care and their support persons are not mandated to be vaccinated. These varying policies highlight the ongoing debate surrounding vaccination requirements for hospital visitors, with some institutions prioritizing visitor flexibility while others focus on infection control and patient safety.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Yukon |
| Hospital | Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto East Health Network (MGH/TEHN) |
| Requirement | Visitors must be vaccinated |
| Proof | Valid health card |
| Exceptions | Unvaccinated escorts may be allowed if approved by the clinic |
| Screening | COVID-19 screening required for all visitors |
| Other Precautions | Masks, social distancing, hand hygiene, rapid antigen test |
| Patients | Patients do not need to be vaccinated |
| Number of Visitors | No impact on the number of visitors per patient |
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What You'll Learn
Visitor requirements at Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto
Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) in Toronto recognises the importance of family and friends in a patient's healing process and welcomes them according to the patient's wishes. The hospital's main entrance on Coxwell Avenue is closed as of March 21, 2025, and patients and visitors can use the new temporary entrance on Sammon Avenue between Coxwell Avenue and Knight Street.
There are no set visiting hours on most units, but visitors are advised to contact the healthcare team in the unit they are visiting to learn more about visiting a patient. For visits to the Adult Inpatient Mental Health Unit and/or Child and Youth Inpatient Mental Health Unit, visitors must contact the healthcare team in advance to book a visit.
MGH has optional masking for all patients, families, and care partners. Masks are provided at entrances, in the Agne & Adrian Rocca Patient Registration Department, and on clinical units. If visiting a patient with an infectious illness, visitors may be required to wear special protective gear, such as a mask or gown, and should follow the instructions of the healthcare team and posted signage.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, MGH implemented visitor restrictions. Visitors must be over 16 years old, maintain physical distance, and wash their hands regularly. Only one designated visitor per day is allowed. The birthing unit is equipped with PPE for pregnant individuals with COVID-19, and all individuals in shared treatment areas or moving within the hospital must wear masks.
Virtual visiting via Zoom is available for those who prefer or are unable to visit in person.
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Yukon hospitals' visitor policy
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) has implemented a revised visitor policy for its patients and facilities. General visitation remains suspended, and escorts for elderly patients will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If a patient has a debilitating disease, such as blindness or dementia, they will be allowed one escort. Minor patients will be allowed one parent or guardian escort. Escorts and visits for end-of-life patients will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and family members must remain in the patient's room at all times.
In the past, YKHC has instituted temporary visitor policies during the COVID-19 outbreak. For hospitalized patients requiring escorts, one visitor was allowed to stay with the patient during their entire hospitalization. Obstetrical patients in Labor and Delivery were permitted one labor support person for the entire period. Patients in isolation rooms, critical care rooms, or the Emergency Department were not allowed any visitors.
Whitehorse General Hospital in Yukon has allowed all admitted patients one designated, consistent visitor. However, patients checking in for blood work, imaging exams, and specialist appointments are generally not permitted a support person.
Currently, inpatients, emergency department, and intensive care unit patients in Yukon hospitals are permitted one vaccinated visitor or one support person. Maternity patients are allowed one visitor, but they must remain in the unit if unvaccinated. Outpatients and patients on precautions are allowed one support person, who can be unvaccinated. Patients near the end of life may have a limit of five consistent visitors, with two at a time.
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Norton Healthcare's visitor guidelines
Norton Healthcare has updated its visitor guidelines to ensure the safety of its patients, staff, and the wider community.
As per the new guidelines, all visitors to Norton Healthcare adult and children's hospitals and outpatient care areas are strongly recommended to be vaccinated and wear a mask. While proof of vaccination is not mandatory, we encourage all visitors to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect themselves and others.
For those seeking care and their support persons, vaccination is not required. However, support persons must be either guardians of minor patients, the patient's decision-maker, or provide assistance to patients with mental or physical disabilities.
Upon arrival, all visitors will be screened for symptoms and must not have been in close contact with anyone asked to self-isolate or self-monitor. Visitors are also expected to follow proper hand hygiene practices and maintain physical distancing.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work to create a safe environment for everyone.
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COVID-19 screening for unvaccinated visitors
While there is no standardized federal mandate on COVID-19 screening for unvaccinated hospital visitors, individual hospitals have implemented their own guidelines. For example, Yukon hospitals require non-patient visitors to be vaccinated, with some exceptions. Inpatients, emergency department and intensive care unit patients in Yukon hospitals are permitted one vaccinated visitor or one support person. Maternity patients are allowed one visitor, who must remain in the unit if unvaccinated. Outpatients and patients on precautions are allowed one support person, who can be unvaccinated. Yukon hospitals also advise that all visitors will be screened on arrival and must be symptom-free.
Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center also has guidelines for COVID-19 screening for unvaccinated visitors. The hospital requires visitors to limit their interactions with others and stay in the patient's room, with the exception of visiting the Tower Cafe for food. Visitors are prohibited from using tobacco and e-cigarettes on the hospital campus. Furthermore, visitors must not exhibit any signs of illness, such as a fever greater than or equal to 100 degrees in the last 72 hours, or a sudden loss of taste or smell in the past 10 days. They should also not have been diagnosed with a COVID-19 infection in the past 10 days or been exposed to someone with a COVID-19 infection in the past 14 days.
HVCC, an educational institution, provides another example of COVID-19 screening for unvaccinated visitors. They require all unvaccinated individuals coming to their campus to complete a health screening questionnaire before arriving each day.
These examples demonstrate that while there may not be a federal mandate, individual institutions and hospitals have implemented their own COVID-19 screening guidelines for unvaccinated visitors. These guidelines often include symptom checks, limitations on movement within the facility, and in some cases, requirements for vaccination status or recent negative COVID-19 tests.
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Support persons and escorts for patients
The vaccination requirements for support persons and escorts for patients vary across different hospitals. For instance, at Michael Garron Hospital, escorts must be fully vaccinated, although one unvaccinated escort may be considered if required and approved by the clinic. Similarly, Yukon hospitals require non-patient visitors to be vaccinated, with a limit of one vaccinated visitor or support person for inpatients, emergency department and intensive care unit patients. However, maternity patients are permitted one visitor who can be unvaccinated, but they must remain in the unit. Outpatients and patients on precautions are allowed one support person, who can be unvaccinated.
In contrast, Norton Healthcare in Kentucky does not require visitors to prove they are vaccinated against COVID-19, although it is recommended. Additionally, those seeking care at Yukon hospitals and their support persons are not required to be vaccinated.
Regardless of vaccination status, most hospitals have general visitor guidelines that must be followed, including COVID-19 screening, wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and adhering to visiting hours. Some hospitals may also require unvaccinated visitors to go directly to and from the unit without visiting other areas, except to use the bathroom. It is important to check the specific policies of the hospital before visiting to ensure compliance with their support person and escort requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the hospital. Some hospitals, like Michael Garron Hospital, require visitors to be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination. Others, like Norton Healthcare, recommend but do not require visitors to be vaccinated.
Support persons are not required to be vaccinated, but they may need to follow additional precautions such as wearing a mask, maintaining physical distancing, and not visiting other areas of the hospital.
Yes, there may be exceptions for people with an approved medical exemption or for unvaccinated escorts if approved by the clinic.
You can check the hospital's website or contact them directly to ask about their visitor vaccination requirements and any other relevant guidelines.
