Yale New Haven Health to Require Visitor Proof of Vaccination in Response to Covid Surge

Yale New Haven Health announced on Wednesday that all visitors to admitted patients in its hospitals will have to show proof of being fully vaccinated or a negative PCR test to visit.

The health system made the change in response to the increase of COVID-19 cases.

The vaccination requirement will take effect at 8:00am on Thursday, December 23.

In response to rising cases, patients will be allowed only one visitor per day. All visitors must be 18 years or older.

Visitors are required to show a government-issued photo ID prior to entry. All visitors are required to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination (14 days post final COVID vaccine dose) prior to entering. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors are eligible for visitation only if they can provide proof of a negative PCR test that was collected within 72 hours of visit. Please note that home test kits are not accepted.

Exceptions to the policy are determined by the patient’s care team and include, but not limited to, partners of laboring patients, patients with disabilities and end-of-life situations.

“In response to the increase in COVID-19 cases, we made the difficult decision to require proof of vaccination across our health system to keep our patients, visitors and staff as safe as possible,” said Thomas Balcezak, MD, chief clinical officer of Yale New Haven Health System.

“By taking these steps, it’s essential that we examine what best practices are and move forward to limit the opportunity for exposure,” he added. “By showing proof of full vaccination or recent negative test status, we are making every effort to keep risk minimized and ensure the health and well-being of everyone across our health system.”

Balcezak said the health and safety of patients, families and staff members was the system’s top priority.

“These visitation guidelines will balance preventing the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 with the needs of our patients and their loved ones,” he said.

Yale New Haven Health includes Yale New Haven Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London and Westerly Hospital in Rhode Island.

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