Important Information About Visitation Guidelines

Updated March 11, 2022

Woman wearing a mask having her temperature taken while visiting the hospital
RWJBH recognizes the important role that family and loved ones have on a patient’s recovery and well-being. We continue to prioritize the safety of all patients, patient visitors and support persons, and staff. Visitors are now permitted with some restrictions. Please check with the individual site regarding more detail around visitation and hours. The following restrictions are in place:
  • No visitors are allowed for COVID-19 patients, except for circumstances approved by the care team.
  • No visitors are allowed for those who are immunocompromised, except for circumstances approved by the care team.
  • No visitors are allowed for our behavioral health units.
  • Other types of patients may have two visitors at a time. They must follow requirements on masking, symptom screening and other precautions.
Visit your local hospital’s page for more detail:

For a full list of RWJBH hospitals and facilities please visit our Locations page.

At all facilities, patients with special needs, including intellectual, developmental or other cognitive disabilities, will be allowed to have one caregiver with them, as well as an aide if necessary.

We encourage family members and friends to use alternative ways to interact with their loved ones, including phone calls, Facetime, Skype and other means.

Extenuating circumstances to the temporary guidelines and individual requests will always be considered based on the best interest and needs of the individual patient. These extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to:

  • Patients on hospice or at the end of life
  • Patients who are critically unstable
  • Patients undergoing surgery or procedures
  • Patients in need of a medical guardian or decision-maker
  • At the discretion of the hospital, one visitor may be able to accompany a patient in Ambulatory Care or other outpatient areas

Safety Measures

All approved visitors will be screened at the entrance prior to being given a visitor pass. If a visitor presents with cold or flu-like systems, that individual will not be allowed to visit or stay in the building. All visitors will be asked if they have been advised to self-quarantine because of exposure to someone with COVID-19. If any visitor has been advised to self-quarantine, they will not be allowed to visit. All visitors will be asked if they have been advised to isolate due to COVID-positive status in the last 10 days. If any visitor has been advised to isolate, they will not be allowed to visit.

In addition to the above, gatherings of family members, friends and other acquaintances of the patient in family lounges, waiting areas, the lobby, cafeteria or restaurants on campus will not be allowed.

All approved visitors must wear a mask at all times and should wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before and after visiting.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

All visitors will be required to wear a face mask. They may wear their own face mask/covering upon arrival to and throughout their stay in the facility, as recommended by the CDC. If they do not have their own face mask/covering they will be provided one.

At the time of entrance, all visitors will be provided instruction on how to wear face masks. An instruction sheet is posted throughout our facilities.

If an individual is permitted to visit a COVID-19-positive patient because of extenuating circumstances or if a patient is on isolation precautions, they will be provided with and must wear appropriate PPE as recommended by the CDC. Staff will direct the visitor on the appropriate PPE.

If a visitor refuses to wear a mask or other PPE as indicated, that individual will be asked to leave the facility.

* Face masks with valves are not permitted as the valves allow unfiltered air to be released. This does not protect others from bacteria spread, per the CDC.

Prior to and During the Visit

All visitors must perform hand hygiene before visiting a patient. Hand sanitizer is available at facility entrances.

Learn the most effective way to wash your hands.

Once in the hospital or facility, visitors shall remain in the patient’s room (or Emergency Department bay) as much as possible throughout the visit, except when directed by hospital or facility staff to leave during aerosol-generating procedure or other procedures in which visitors are usually asked to leave.

If an aerosol-generating procedure needs to be performed on a patient, the visitor must leave the room during the procedure and for one hour after the procedure is complete.

All visitors must comply with all reasonable requirements imposed by the hospital or facility to minimize the potential spread of infection.

Gatherings of family members, friends and other acquaintances of the patient in family lounges, waiting areas, the lobby, cafeterias or restaurants on campus is not permitted.

RWJBH understands that a hospitalization can be a stressful and uncertain time for many. The visitation policy reflects our commitment to addressing the needs of our patients while prioritizing the safety of all those who enter our facilities.

Our staff and physicians are here to support you and your loved ones and will take into consideration any requests that are made beyond the parameters of this policy in the best interest of the patient.

With guidance from the New Jersey Hospital Association, New Jersey Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and regional and local health departments, we are taking all the necessary steps to ensure the health, well-being and safety of our patients, our staff and the communities we serve.

When visiting is not permissible, we encourage family members and friends to use alternative ways to interact with their loved ones, including phone calls, FaceTime, Skype and other means.

In-Room Virtual Visits

We thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.