Important Information About Visitation Guidelines

at Jersey City Medical Center

Effective December 1, 2025

Masking

In response to an increase in key viral benchmarks across RWJBarnabas Health and the region, and in support of the total wellbeing of our communities, patients and colleagues, RWJBarnabas Health has implemented the following masking protocols at all system locations, effective Monday, December 1.

Inpatient Care Locations

• Physicians, providers and staff – Face masks must be worn when providing direct care to patients. All staff can also choose to wear a mask at any time.
• Patients – All inpatients who are able to will be required to wear a face mask when leaving their room and can also choose to wear a mask at any time.
• Visitors, volunteers and vendors – Face masks must be worn at all times in the presence of patients when at an RWJBarnabas Health facility.
• Every patient has the right to request physicians(s), provider(s) and/or staff wear a mask when treating them. If a request is made, physicians(s), provider(s) and/or staff are required to comply.

Outpatient and Medical Group Care Locations

• Masking will be required for all patients who present with respiratory symptoms, as well as all staff members and providers caring for them.
• Masking is strongly encouraged for all physicians, providers, staff,c patients, visitors and vendors at all times when in the presence of patients.
• Outpatient and Medical Group sites can make the decision to require universal masking at their location if they determine this is in the best interest of the patient population they serve, such as a location primarily serving immunocompromised patients.
• Every patient has the right to request physicians(s), provider(s) and/or staff wear a mask when treating them. If a request is made, physicians(s), provider(s) and/or staff are required to comply.

We will remain vigilant in monitoring benchmarks and may adjust policies accordingly to ensure the safety of our workforce and communities.

As always, we encourage you and our communities to take steps to reduce the spread of contagious illnesses by remaining up-to-date with appropriate vaccinations and boosters; choosing to wear a mask if you aren’t feeling well and/or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, influenza and/or another contagious illness; and observing isolation guidelines when appropriate.

Visiting Patients

Jersey City Medical Center has open visitation hours. Do not visit if you are sick or feeling unwell. Patients in semi-private, two (2) bedded rooms must consider night time rest and privacy of the other patient overnight.

Adults

• Labor and Delivery: Two (2) visitors per patient.
• Post-partum/Mother-Baby: Two (2) visitors per patient. Overnight accommodations available for one (1) person.
• Med / Surg Units: Two (2) visitors are permitted from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Critical Care: Two (2) visitors are permitted from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Restricted visiting hours may be requested under the nurse's clinical discretion for the safety of the patient. No eating or drinking at the bedside.
  Extenuating circumstances to the guidelines and individual requests will always be considered based on the best interest and needs of the individual patient.
• Behavioral Health: One visitor during specialized visitation hours with pre-scheduled appointment. All visitors must be 18 years or older.
• Emergency Department: One (1) visitor per patient.

Pediatrics

• Pediatric Inpatient: Two (2) parents or guardians.
• NICU: Two (2) parents or guardians.
• Pediatric Emergency Room: Two (2) parents or guardians.

Ambulatory Facilities / Same Day Surgery

• Same Day Surgery: Two (2) visitors per patient.
• Ambulatory Centers: Two (2) visitors per patient.

Special Circumstances

• Patients with disabilities where the disability may be due to intellectual or cognitive disability: Two (2) designated support persons are allowed to remain with the patient.
• COVID-19 Positive Inpatients: Visitation restricted.

Extenuating circumstances to the guidelines and individual requests will always be considered based on the best interest and needs of the individual patient.

We encourage family members and friends to also consider alternative ways to interact with their loved ones, including phone calls, FaceTime, Skype and other means.

Safety Measures

Upon checking in, please let a member of our team know if you are experiencing any of the following:

1. If you have a fever or have felt feverish in the last 24 hours or are experiencing COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms. Possible symptoms include, but are not limited to:
   • Fever or chills
   • Cough
   • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
   • Fatigue
   • Muscle or body aches
   • Headache
   • New loss of taste or smell
   • Sore throat
   • Congestion or runny nose
   • Nausea or vomiting
   • Diarrhea
2. If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (or another contagious respiratory illness, such as influenza or RSV) within the last 10 days.
3. If you have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 infection (or another contagious respiratory illness) in the last 10 days even if you are asymptomatic.

When indicated, individuals may wear their own face mask/covering. If they do not have their own face mask/covering they will be provided one. While cloth masks are permitted, surgical masks are preferred.

The following are NOT PERMITTED as face covering as they do not protect others from bacteria spread, per the CDC:

• masks with a vent/valve
• gaiters
• handkerchiefs

An instruction sheet for how to wear face masks is posted throughout our facilities.

If an individual is permitted to visit a COVID-19-positive patient because of extenuating circumstances or if a patient is on isolation precautions, they will be provided with and must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as recommended by the CDC. Staff will direct the visitor on the appropriate PPE.

If a visitor refuses to wear a mask or other PPE as indicated, that individual will be asked to leave the facility.

Prior to and During the Visit

All visitors must perform hand hygiene before visiting a patient.

Once in the hospital or facility, permitted visitors shall remain in the patient’s room (or Emergency Department bay) as much as possible throughout the visit, except when directed by hospital or facility staff to leave during aerosol-generating procedure or other procedures in which visitors are usually asked to leave.

If an aerosol-generating procedure needs to be performed on a patient, the visitor must leave the room during the procedure and for one hour after the procedure is complete.

All visitors must comply with all reasonable requirements imposed by the hospital or facility to minimize the potential spread of infection.

Jersey City Medical Center and RWJBH understands that a hospitalization can be a stressful and uncertain time for many. The visitation policy reflects our commitment to addressing the needs of our patients while prioritizing the safety of all those who enter our facilities.

Our staff and physicians are here to support you and your loved ones and will take into consideration any requests that are made beyond the parameters of this policy in the best interest of the patient.

With guidance from the New Jersey Hospital Association, New Jersey Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and regional and local health departments, we are taking all the necessary steps to ensure the health, well-being and safety of our patients, our staff and the communities we serve.

When not available to visit, we encourage family members and friends to use alternative ways to interact with their loved ones, including phone calls, FaceTime, Skype and other means.

In-Room Virtual Visits

We thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.