Updated Mask Policy (Effective November 1, 2024)

The public health officers in most Bay Area counties, including Contra Costa and Alameda, have issued a mask mandate for health care workers in certain areas of acute care facilities from November 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025. In alignment with this mandate, we have issued updated masking guidance for patients and visitors in all our facilities.

Hospitals

  • Masking is required in all patient care areas at our Concord Medical Center and Walnut Creek Medical Center.
    • Patient Care Areas: Anywhere direct patient care is delivered and/or where face-to-face patient care is provided. 
      • Concord & Walnut Creek: All patient rooms and exam rooms, as well as diagnostic and treatment areas within the emergency department, radiology, physical therapy and surgical suites.
    • No Masking Required: Hallways, elevators, cafeterias, conference/meeting rooms, nursing stations, central registration*, check-in areas*, waiting areas*, lobbies. (*Masking may be required in some departments. 
      Individual departments, such as the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), may set their own guidelines, which include masking at all times.
      Hospital visitors with respiratory symptoms will not be allowed to visit patients with limited exceptions.
       
  • Visitors to Covid+ patients are welcome with use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE); extended time will be granted for end-of-life or cognitive care. Visitors will be restricted to the patient's room only; no lingering in other hospital areas or use of the cafeteria will be permitted..

  • Visitors who have been exposed to a Covid+ or a suspected Covid+ person may not visit for 10 days after exposure.

Behavioral Health Center (Inpatient and Outpatient)

  • Masking is required inside our Acute Psychiatric Hospital inpatient facility (2740 Grant St. in Concord) in all patient care areas and units.

  • Masking is required inside our Behavioral Health Center outpatient facility at 4080 Port Chicago Highway in Concord.

Outpatient, Physician Office and Urgent Care

  • Patients with respiratory symptoms will be required to mask at all times at John Muir Health outpatient, physician office and urgent care locations. 
    • If someone is accompanying a patient with respiratory symptoms to their appointment, they will be required to mask as well.
       
  • Masking is recommended, but optional if the patient is not symptomatic. 

  • Individual departments and facilities, such as the Jean and Ken Hofmann Cancer Center in the Behring Pavilion, may set their own guidelines, which include masking at all times.

Respiratory Symptoms that Require Masking

  • Patients with respiratory symptoms are required to wear a mask with exceptions while in a private hospital room if no one is present, or physical or cognitive inability to do so. Symptoms include, but are not limited to:  
    • Cough 
    • Runny nose 
    • Sore throat 
    • Fever or 
    • Other symptoms of a viral infection 
       
  • Patients and visitors may continue to wear a mask at any of our facilities even if it is not required. Masks are available at all John Muir Health locations. 

  • Patients at any facility where masking is not currently required when providing direct patient care may request that their providers wear a mask. We want patients and their families to feel comfortable and safe in our health system.

Thank you for your cooperation with this policy.