Mask requirements will soon be dropped by Bryan Health and many other hospital systems and clinics. In a joint statement issued Monday morning Bryan Health, Boys Town, CHI Health, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Madonna, Methodist Health System and Nebraska Medicine said wearing masks will be optional as of April 3.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is expected to end the Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 on May 11. This change will impact U.S. health care policies and practices for many COVID-19 related services.
“We know more and we have vaccines that are extremely safe and effective in preventing serious disease and death,” according to the joint statement. “We now have oral medications that help prevent progression of disease. We are better suited to treat patients with COVID-19 and they are consuming less intensive care resources. We are also experiencing less employee absenteeism due to COVID-19 infection.”
Masking requirements will remain in effect on units or areas that necessitated wearing of masks and protective equipment prior to the pandemic. Patients and people visiting the hospital can still request masks be worn.