FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 29, 2023 No. 23-14
Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System Updates Masking Policy
Effective immediately, the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System is updating its masking requirements for Veterans, visitors, volunteers, and staff at all sites of care. We will continue to ensure the safety of our Veterans, especially those who are most vulnerable, while accommodating individual masking preferences. We will continue to monitor community spread in order to align our masking practices with CDC and VHA guidelines.
While community risk levels are low, as they are now, unmasking will be permitted in low risk outpatient and administrative areas. Masking will still be required in the following high risk areas.
- Chemotherapy Clinics
- Infusion Clinics
- Emergency Department
- Inpatient Medical/Surgical Units
- Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit
- Intensive Care Unit
- Inpatient Mental Health Unit
Additionally, Veterans and their caregivers who are meeting with staff in clinical and/or administrative areas may request that VA staff wear a mask at any time.