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New masking guidelines are in effect starting April 24.

Vaccines & Boosters | Testing | Visitor Guidelines | Coronavirus

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Updates

Green Visitor Guidelines for Patient Care Partners During COVID-19

Green Level Outpatient Care Partner Guidelines - More Open

Screen Before You Arrive

Fill out this form to perform a COVID-19 screening before coming to a Johns Hopkins facility. If you are unable to self-screen, you will be screened in person upon entry to the facility.

 LEVEL GREEN: LOWER RISK
Ambulatory Surgery Centers;
Hospital-based Adult Same Day Surgery

  • Up to two adult care partners are welcome if there is enough space.**

  • Care partners may wait in the surgical waiting room if there is enough seating.** 

  • One adult care partner may be with the patient in the prep and recovery areas if there is enough space.**

Maternal Fetal Medicine, Fetal Assessment; Fetal Therapy; or Perinatal Ultrasound
  • Up to two care partners are welcome if there is enough seating.**
    • Children under 16 years old who cannot be supervised by the adult patient throughout the visit are not allowed to accompany patient.
Outpatient Radiology
  • Up to two care partners may accompany the patient to the appointment if there is enough seating.** Please check with the front desk about waiting area options. 
    • No children under 16 may accompany patient to the appointment due to inability to supervise.
Outpatient Cancer Center Clinics; Infusion Suites
  • Up to two adult care partners are welcome if there is enough seating.**  
  • For infusion suites where there may not be enough space to accommodate a care partner: One care partner may accompany patient to and from the patient’s space in the infusion suite and wait in the waiting room during the infusion, if there is enough seating.
Adult Office Visits at Any Johns Hopkins Medicine Facility
  • Up to two care partners are welcome if there is enough seating.**
    • Children under 16 years old who cannot be supervised by the adult patient throughout the visit are not allowed to accompany patient.
Pediatric Office Visits at Any Johns Hopkins Medicine Facility

  • Up to two care partners may come with the patient to the visit. The care partners may be two adults, or one adult and one child.*

*Care partners who are breastfeeding/chestfeeding an infant age 8 months or younger may bring the infant to appointments if no other care option is available. 

**Depending on the size of the space and the number of individuals in an area, the clinical team may ask care partners to wait in an alternative space. If there is not enough seating in waiting areas, please check with the care team about additional options for areas to wait. Due to space limitations, the amount of care partners permitted in waiting rooms may vary by hospital and location.  

  • A care partner may be a relative, partner, friend or anyone patients choose to have at their side during care. When permitted by the risk level, children under 18 years old accompanying adult patients to clinic visits must be supervised by an adult at all times.

    In risk levels where no care partner is permitted, a patient with a disability may have one care partner with them in the clinic, and two care partners may be identified so they can take turns being with the patient. Staff may invite a care partner to join discussions about care goals and at-home care instructions, if appropriate.

  • Care partners must follow these safety precautions, even if vaccinated for COVID-19:

    • Review our updated masking guidelines before your visit. The following face coverings are not allowed: bandanas, gaiters, masks with exhalation valves or clear shield-like face masks. A mask will be provided for you if you need one.
    • Participate in screening for COVID-19 symptoms by answering questions when entering a building or by using Johns Hopkins’ COVID-19 screening via smartphone (see instructions below). Care partners and support persons arriving with, or later developing, symptoms of COVID-19 must leave immediately.
    • Practice physical distancing of at least 6 feet.
    • Wash hands or use hand sanitizer often, including upon entering the building and at entry and exit to the clinical care room.
    • If you become symptomatic or test positive for COVID-19 within 3 days of accompanying a patient to their outpatient visit, notify the patient’s provider, nurse or clinic.

    Care partners who do not comply with these guidelines may be asked to leave Johns Hopkins Medicine’s facilities.

  • Do not come to a Johns Hopkins Medicine facility to visit a patient under any circumstances if you:

    • Feel sick, or have symptoms of COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms
    • Tested positive for COVID-19 within the last three weeks
    • Have been advised to get a COVID-19 test, or are waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test
    • Have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 within the last two weeks
    • Have been asked to be on home quarantine or in isolation

Please review the Care Partner Guidelines: What You Need to Know section before you arrive so you understand what is expected.

  

LEVEL GREEN: More open to visits

Screen Before You Arrive

Fill out this form to perform a COVID-19 screening before coming to a Johns Hopkins facility.

Type of Inpatient VisitNumber of Care Partners
Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19Adult
  • Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 may have up to two care partners per day during visiting hours.  Visitation will only be allowed in biomode areas for patients who are at the end-of-life or who have a disability.
  • Care partners must stop at the front desk or the security desk and obtain the proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Pickup locations for PPE may vary by hospital.
  • Care partners must go directly to the patient’s room.
  • Care partners cannot go to the cafeteria, gift shop or other public places within the hospital.
  • In most cases, overnight stays are not permitted in order to minimize the exposure to care partners.
  • Maternity patients may have one care partner stay with them overnight.
  • Care partners of patients who are at the end-of-life or who have a disability may stay overnight. Please ask the care team for details.
  • No care partners will be allowed while the patient is undergoing aerosol generating procedures (AGP).
  • There is a risk of exposure to COVID-19 for care partners during their visit even with safety measures in place.
Pediatrics
  • Two identified parents or guardians may be present at the same time. The identified parents and guardians must stay with the patient in their room while visiting. Parents and guardians are encouraged to limit the number of times they come and go from the hospital. Meals for parents and guardians will be delivered and must be eaten in the room with the child.
  • Neonatal intensive care unit policies for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 may vary. Please check with your care team.
Shared Spaces
(for example, semiprivate rooms,
bays, waiting rooms)
  • Waiting rooms: Up to two care partners may wait in waiting areas if there is enough seating.
  • Semiprivate rooms: Two care partners per patient may be at the bedside during visiting hours if there is enough space. For example, if there are two patients in the room,  each patient may have two care partners at the same time.
    • Semiprivate rooms at Sibley Memorial Hospital: Due to spacing, one care partner per patient is allowed at the bedside during visiting hours. For example, if there are two patients in a room, each patient may have one care partner at the same time.
Adult patients prior to a surgery or
procedure requiring an inpatient
hospitalization in a private room
  • Up to two care partners are welcome in the waiting room if there is enough seating.
  • One care partner may be with the patient in prep and recovery areas if there is enough space.
  • Please check with your care team for more details about space availability.
Emergency Department
(patients in private rooms)
  • Up to two care partners may be with the patient at the same time in the waiting room and in private spaces if there is enough seating.
  • Children under 16 may visit if supervised by an adult care partner.  All care partners are required to present a government issued ID at a front desk.
    • At Sibley Memorial Hospital, children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult care partner.  This is in accordance with Washington, D.C., guidance
Obstetrics/Labor and Delivery
  • Up to two care partners may visit at the same time and are permitted for labor and delivery.
  • Once transfer to mother-baby unit occurs, one care partner is encouraged to stay overnight. Up to two care partners may visit at the same time during visiting hours.
  • Children under 16 years old may visit if accompanied by an adult care partner. All care partners are required to present a government-issued ID at a front desk.
    • At Sibley Memorial Hospital, children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult care partner.  This is in accordance with Washington, D.C., guidance.
  • Care partners may rotate during visiting hours. To prevent overcrowding in waiting areas, “care partner exchange” must occur outside the hospital or in lobby areas.
  • One certified or registered doula is permitted for labor and non-surgical delivery.
  • One care partner OR one certified or registered doula is allowed in the operating room during surgical delivery.
Pediatrics
(patients who do not have COVID-19/are
not suspected of having COVID-19)
  • Up to four care partners and children may be at the bedside at the same time. Children must be accompanied by at least one care partner. Care partners and children may not exceed four total.
  • Care partners must be the parents/guardians or be approved by the parents/guardians. 
    • Intensive care units: Visiting hours and guidelines may vary. Please check with your care team.
  • Care partners may rotate during the day and care partners may stay overnight as long as there are only two care partners at the bedside at a time.
    • Applies to inpatient, all surgeries and procedures, and emergency department visits.
  • For patients having surgery or a procedure at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center or Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital:
    • Two parents/guardians may accompany patient to waiting area, prep area, and recovery area.
Psychiatry
  • Two care partners may be permitted at the discretion of the clinical team.
  • Time and duration of visit will be determined by clinical team.
  • Please collaborate with your care team to coordinate visits.
End of Life (all patients)
  • No limit on care partners if the clinical team deems that it is safe and feasible.
  • The care team may limit the number of care partners at the bedside at a time to ensure there is enough space.  
Patients requiring aerosol-generating procedures
  • No care partners may be in the patient’s room during the procedure, but they may enter once the procedure is done. Care partner must follow instructions from care team members.
All Other Adult Inpatients
(Patients in private rooms)
  • Up to two care partners may be at the bedside with the patient at the same time during visiting hours for private and semiprivate accommodations.
  • Children under 16 years old may visit if accompanied by an adult care partner. All care partners are required to present a government-issued ID at a front desk.
    • At Sibley Memorial Hospital, children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult care partner.  This is in accordance with Washington, D.C., guidance.
  • One adult care partner may stay overnight if the care partner is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or has tested negative for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 within 72 hours of the visit. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second shot of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks after a one-dose vaccine.
    • Care partners who plan to stay overnight should carry documentation of vaccination or test results with them and be prepared to show the documentation if asked.
    • Intensive care units may have restrictions on overnight visitation based on space limits. Please check with your care team.
  • Care partners may rotate during visiting hours. To prevent overcrowding in waiting areas, “care partner exchange” must occur outside the hospital or in lobby areas.
  • If the number of care partner rotations is a safety concern for the care team, they will discuss with the patient and arrange a visitation schedule that is safe and feasible.
  • Care team may further restrict visitation for extremely high-risk or immunosuppressed patients.
  • If there is not enough seating in waiting areas, please check with the care team about additional options for areas to wait.
  • Due to space limitations, the number of care partners permitted in waiting rooms may vary by hospital and location.
  • Care partners without a government-issued ID are required to have confirmation of identification (i.e. library card, credit card, etc…). Additionally, if the hospital has a Visitor Welcoming System, care partners are required to have their picture taken at the front desk.

  • A care partner may be a relative, partner, friend or anyone the patient chooses to have at their side during care. Care partners must be age 18 or older, except for those who are parents of patients.

  • Care partners must follow these safety precautions, even if vaccinated against COVID-19:

    • Review our updated masking guidelines before your visit. The following face coverings are not approved: bandanas, gaiters, masks with exhalation valves or clear shield-like face masks. A mask will be provided for you if you need one.
    • Be screened daily for COVID-19 symptoms through a verbal screening when entering a building or in advance by using Johns Hopkins’ mobile COVID-19 screening via smartphone (see instructions below). Care partners and support persons arriving with or developing symptoms of COVID-19 must immediately leave the hospital.
    • Practice physical distancing of at least 6 feet (including to the extent possible in the patient’s room).
    • Wash hands or use hand sanitizer often, including upon entering the hospital and at each entry and exit to the patient’s room.
    • If you become symptomatic or test positive for COVID-19 within 3 days of visiting a patient in the hospital, notify the patient’s provider, nurse, or the charge nurse on the patient’s hospital unit.

    Care partners who do not comply with these guidelines may be asked to leave Johns Hopkins Medicine’s facilities.

  • Do not come to a Johns Hopkins facility to visit a patient under any circumstance if you:

    • Feel sick, or have COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms 
    • Tested positive for COVID-19, within the last three weeks 
    • Have been advised to get a COVID-19 test, or are waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test
    • Have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 within the last two weeks
    • Have been asked to be on home quarantine or in isolation

  • Visiting hours are as follows:

    • Care partners who can visit adult patients according to the guidelines must arrive at the hospital front entrance between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. and must exit the hospital no later than 9 p.m.
    • Care partners/parents/guardians for patients in the pediatric emergency room and for pediatric inpatients may arrive 24/7.

  • In some cases care partners may need to request a visitor exception. All exceptions require review and approval before a care partner may arrive. Please talk to your provider or care team about an exception.

    One care partner who has an approved exception is allowed per patient. Exceptions may be granted under the following circumstances:

    • A patient with a disability needs assistance.
      • Care partners may take turns being with the patient 24 hours per day, if needed.
      • In private rooms, up to two care partners may be at the bedside at a time.
    • Please speak with your care team about requests for exceptions related to end-of-life visits, discharge education, goals-of-care planning, or traumatic events that require emergency surgery.

  • Johns Hopkins Medicine evaluates its visitation risk levels every week and uses data that monitors the spread of COVID-19 in states and counties to help determine the level.

  
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