Hackensack Meridian Health announced that from December 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026, all visitors will be required to wear masks during the duration of their visit with an admitted patient.
Officials say visitors may also be asked to mask in additional areas or scenarios depending on risk levels. Masks will be available at all Hackensack Meridian Health locations.
The health system says the temporary policy aims to protect patients, staff, and visitors during the height of respiratory virus season.
Visitors are advised to call ahead when planning a hospital visit to check for any changes in masking guidance or visitation restrictions. Hackensack Meridian Health continues to limit or restrict visitation in high-risk areas as needed.
Those with questions can contact the Office of Patient Experience or email [email protected] and include the name of the hospital they are inquiring about.
Hospital officials emphasized the importance of family presence in the healing process, encouraging families to ask about the Care Companion program, which helps keep loved ones connected.
Hackensack Meridian Health is urging visitors to treat staff with respect as they work to provide safe and compassionate care during the busy winter season.
refuah shlaima to Hackensack! Covid is long over! MOVE ON!!
Hospitals have used masks for very long time before covid. They didn’t say it’s for the foreseeable future, they said it’s until January or february. They said it’s for respiratory illness. We’ve had flu for many many years. Wearing a mask in a hospital setting during the dead of winter, is not so crazy. It’s true that usually people didn’t have to wear masks in hospitals ever unless they were in an immunocompromised setting, but perhaps covid made it more normal to wear masks in hospitals. I hate when people wear masks as though covid is still going on, but come on, I don’t think this has anything to do with covid.
Prior to Covid it was never required any where. Not in any ER or hospital. It’s an excuse to make people uncomfortable, so less peopel will visit. Only those who must be there with relatives will spend time there.
flu, rsv, pneumonia are not over.
and never will be , the masks that 98%of the people wear are useless for the spread of viruses
Ever hear of the flu? It should be like this every winter, in all healthcare settings.
Because they have been requiring masks for the last century?!!!!
I don’t want to share a hospital with people who are this selfish. There’s free healthcare in the Levant. Go away. Maybe they won’t make you wear a mask.
How do they now that it will start now and last until January 31? Maybe it will start December 10 and go until January 15? Or start December 25 (when everyone parties and gets together) and go until February 5?
Maybe it started 3 months ago and is over already? they have no idea.
I would love to know the evidence for the scientific basis of this policy?
I am not saying it doesn’t exist, but can they show it to us?
How can they, when even during Covid where they insisted there was science to back masks, there was no such science?!?
I was just in JSUMC today on Dec 2 and no one asked me to put on a mask and no one was wearing a mask either. Fake news?