Face masks optional in most LVHN facilities starting Monday

Apr. 16—Face masks will be optional for patients, guests and employees in most areas where patient care is provided within Lehigh Valley Health Network hospitals and health care facilities, beginning Monday.

Masks continue to be optional in non-patient care areas such as cafeterias, pharmacies, chapels and gift shops.

"For several weeks, COVID-19 cases have trended downward in the communities LVHN serves, which makes this change appropriate given the current conditions," Dr. Alex Benjamin, chief infection control and prevention officer, was quoted in a news release. "We will continue to monitor the number of COVID-19 cases in our community and adjust our masking policy accordingly if cases increase to protect our patients, visitors and colleagues."

While masking will be optional in most areas, there are circumstances and locations where masks will be required for patients and guests. Those circumstances and locations include:

—Anyone with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.

—Anyone with respiratory viral symptoms.

—Transplant donors and recipients.

—Patients and guests in Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute inpatient and outpatient locations.

—Patients receiving infusion therapy.

—Neonatal intensive care unit visitors.

—Inpatient psychiatric units.

Anyone with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case should not visit LVHN sites.

LVHN's transitional skilled unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton must follow the rules and regulations established by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Therefore, masking requirements will be clearly indicated on-site and will be dependent upon the presence of active COVID-19 cases on the unit.