Chicago City Wire

UI Health has announced new masking requirements in response to the increased circulation of respiratory illnesses, including influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. The updated guidelines are set to take effect on Wednesday, January 15th at 3 p.m.

According to the announcement, masks will be mandatory for all employees in areas where patients are present. While it is not required, wearing masks is recommended in shared workrooms, cafeterias, and meeting rooms.

Patients and visitors entering the Hospital & Clinics must wear masks but can lower them when necessary for patient care or eating and drinking. For specific procedures such as oral or nasal exams, exercise stress testing, physical therapy, sleep studies, or pulmonary function testing, patients may unmask while staff members remain masked.

Inpatient masking rules specify that masks are required when staff enters a room. Curtains should also be drawn in shared patient rooms to ensure safety.

The new guidance mandates mask-wearing in various locations within UI Health facilities: hospital/inpatient care areas; clinic rooms/outpatient care areas; clinic registration and waiting areas; hallways; elevators; stairwells; and the Hospital Atrium.

While masking is strongly recommended in cafeterias like Taylor Street Café and OCC Café as well as meeting rooms and break rooms, it remains optional unless specified otherwise by local regulations or conditions.

UI Health continues to advocate for seasonal infection-prevention measures which include vaccination when appropriate to reduce severe disease risk or death. They also advise regular handwashing and recommend not attending work if feeling unwell without consulting a doctor first.