Face masks are still required in Delaware hospitals

In light of changing mask guidance and mandates, the Delaware Healthcare Association is reminding the public that face coverings are still required in Delaware hospitals and many other healthcare settings across the state. This practice is consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s continued recommendation of universal masking in healthcare settings.

“While COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are declining, protecting immunocompromised and severely ill patients from COVID-19 exposure continues to be a priority for Delaware hospitals,” said Wayne A. Smith, Delaware Healthcare Association president and CEO. “For the safety of our patients, and in line with CDC recommendations for universal masking in the healthcare setting, wearing a face mask continues to be required in Delaware hospitals. We encourage everyone to be kind and respectful to the healthcare workers enforcing these policies within the healthcare setting.”

Wearing a mask helps reduce the spread of COVID-19, both for people who wear masks and those who spend time around others who are masked. Masking is an especially important mitigation tool, since many people who have COVID-19, especially the Omicron variant, do not have any symptoms, and may not know they have the virus and could be spreading it to others.

The Delaware Healthcare Association is issuing this reminder after Delaware’s indoor mask mandate was lifted Feb. 11, the CDC updated its masking guidance Feb. 25 and Delaware’s COVID-19 State of Emergency was lifted March 1. Delaware’s Public Health Emergency Order continues to be in effect.

For more information about the Delaware Healthcare Association, go to deha.org.