The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges for families and hospitals around the world, and impacted all of our lives in countless ways. Thankfully, with the recent end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023, we can now look ahead with optimism to a new chapter in public health. At Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) — and around the country — pandemic-related restrictions are being lifted and policies are being updated, including those related to masking.
Here are the changes you can expect when visiting any CHOP location.
Masks Optional
While universal masking was a valuable tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19 when the prevalence and severity of disease was high, we are now at a different point in the pandemic, with more tools and resources than ever before. COVID-19 cases continue to decline across the nation, disease is much less severe and population immunity is high. For these reasons, public health guidance no longer mandates masking in healthcare facilities.
In accordance with government guidelines, masking is now optional for staff, patients and visitors in certain situations.
- Anyone with respiratory symptoms (such as a cough, runny nose or sore throat) in all settings
- Anyone in Emergency Department, Urgent Care, Specialty Care and Primary Care waiting areas because there may be individuals with respiratory symptoms waiting to be seen
- Immunocompromised or high-risk individuals (per CDC guidelines) in all settings