Updated Mask Policy (Effective November 1, 2023)
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, 2023 through April 30, 2024. 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.
- Patient Care Areas: Anywhere direct patient care is delivered and/or where face-to-face patient care is provided.
Behavioral Health Center (Inpatient and Outpatient)
- Masking is required inside our Behavioral Health Center 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
- Masking is recommended, but optional at John Muir Health Outpatient, Physician Office and Urgent Care locations.
- Note: Individual departments and facilities, such as Cancer Services, may set their own guidelines, which include masking at all times.
- Patients with respiratory symptoms will be required to mask 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:
- 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.