UPMC North Central Pa., has released new masking guidelines today.

As of Wednesday, Feb. 12, it is recommended for all people to wear a mask when entering or while inside UPMC facilities and areas where patient care is provided. Be sure to check for signage about masking, according to the UPMC website.

Masking is encouraged in all health care settings where patient care is provided, including:

Hospitals.

Outpatient centers and medical buildings.

Senior living facilities.

UPMC Urgent Care locations, laboratories, and testing facilities.

UPMC has adjusted their systemwide masking policies to address the increase in respiratory virus cases.

Masking is encouraged for all people, including patients, visitors, staff, and others.

For your convenience, masks are available at UPMC facilities.

If you can’t wear a mask for medical reasons, please talk with a staff member about reasonable accommodations.

Children aged 2 and younger should not wear a mask.

For up-to-date information about masking, call 833-390-9489 before your visit.

People with symptoms of a respiratory illness are required to wear a mask at all times to prevent spread.

Visitors or support persons who are not feeling well or have a fever, a respiratory illness, or a stomach illness should consider delaying their visit until they feel better.

Wash your hands. Good hand hygiene helps reduce the risk of spreading infection.

UPMC will continue to closely monitor the spread of seasonal respiratory viruses such as influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. UPMC shapes guidelines and policies based on the most current information to minimize risks. Masking can help decrease the risk of spreading these potentially serious respiratory illnesses among patients, visitors, students, vendors, employees, and people in our hospitals and facilities throughout the system’s footprint.

Masks are available at all UPMC facilities.

Masking is always welcome but is not required inside UPMC facilities that do not provide patient care. We encourage and support wearing a mask if you feel more comfortable doing so.

You can always request staff members to wear a mask when caring for yourself or a loved one.

Everyone can help reduce the risk of complications of infections by receiving recommended vaccinations, the news release added.

Patients, staff, and visitors must wear masks when part of standard and transmission-based isolation precautions. This means the use of masks for patients diagnosed with, or who may have, a contagious respiratory illness.