Masking and self screening

Masking guidelines are in place in hospitals and health-care facilities, including long-term care facilities. 

• Masking is temporarily required in all clinical areas in hospitals and health-care facilities, including long-term care facilities. Masking requirements in clinical areas apply to visitors/support persons, clients, patients (outpatient clinics and emergency departments) and health-care workers. 
• Visitors/support persons, clients and patients (outpatient clinics and emergency departments) are required to wear a well-fitted medical mask in all clinical areas, including in waiting areas for health-care services/appointments, clinical care/treatment areas and while visiting patients and long-term care residents. These requirements do not apply to patients admitted to hospital or long-term care residents. 

• Individuals seeking or receiving health-care services who are symptomatic (i.e. experiencing any one or more symptoms of COVID-19 or respiratory symptoms) or have a rash are reminded that they are required to wear a mask upon entry and at all times while inside a health-care facility. Visitors/support persons who are feeling unwell or sick should not visit patients/residents or accompany others to appointments. 

• Individuals can wear their own medical mask or a mask provided at the health-care facility. Cloth masks and masks with exhalation valves are not permitted. 

• April 28, 2025 update: Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services advises the public of updates to masking requirements at health-care facilities across the province. Masking continues to be required in clinical areas and will remain in place until Monday, April 28, 2025. Changes to masking guidelines, effective April 28, 2025, are based on the continued decline in cases of respiratory illness noted in the community, monitoring of epidemiology, hospitalizations, and outbreaks. 

• Masking  will  no longer be required for visitors/support persons, clients, and patients, pending they meet the self-screening requirements, in clinical areas in health-care facilities (including waiting areas for health-care services/appointments, clinical care/treatment areas, and while visiting patients and long-term care residents).   
• If a facility experiences an outbreak, additional masking protocols may be implemented; visitors or support persons should check with the care team for the required personal protective equipment.    

• Reminder: Individuals seeking or receiving health-care services who are symptomatic (i.e. experiencing any one or more symptoms of COVID-19 or respiratory symptoms) or who have a rash are required to wear a mask upon entry and at all times while inside a health-care facility. Visitors/support persons who are feeling unwell or sick should not visit patients/residents or accompany others to appointments.   

• Masks will continue to be available at health-care facilities across the province. Individuals who would like to continue wearing masks are encouraged to do so.   

• Individuals can wear their medical mask, or a mask provided at the health-care facility.   

• Visitors and support persons are also asked to consider the safety of those they are visiting. It can be especially important to wear a mask if you are around others who are at risk of more severe disease and outcomes, including those with chronic conditions, compromised immune systems, and older adults or young children

Visitors/support persons are directed to self-screen for COVID-19/respiratory illness and must meet the self-screening requirements before proceeding inside the health-care facility.  

Visitors/support persons are directed to follow signage at the health-care facility they are visiting or complete the below self-screening prior to arrival at the health-care facility. 

Visitors/support persons who are feeling unwell or sick should not visit patients/residents or accompany others to appointments. 

Do you have any one or more of the following symptoms? 

• Fever (including chills/sweats) 

• New onset of muscle aches 

• Vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours

New or worsening: 

• Cough 

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 

• Runny, stuffy or congested nose (not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes/conditions) 

• Sore throat or difficulty swallowing 

• Headache 

• Acute loss of sense of smell or taste 

• Unusual fatigue, lack of energy 

• Loss of appetite 

If yes, do not visit. 

• Perform hand hygiene. 
• Follow all guidelines for the unit/area you are visiting.  

Visitation is not permitted if the support person/visitor is symptomatic (i.e. experiencing any one or more symptoms of COVID-19 or respiratory symptoms).  

• For extenuating circumstances such as labour and delivery or end-of-life, visiting should be done in consultation with the clinical care team.