4 things to know: Updates to McLaren’s masking guidelines

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What you need to know about McLaren’s transition to masking optional.

McLaren Health Care, in coordination with other major Michigan health care systems, announced an update to masking guidelines at its 13 Michigan-based hospitals and their outpatient facilities.

Effective April 17, 2023, masking at those facilities has become optional for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here’s what everyone should know about these updated guidelines.

Masking is optional

All patients, visitors, and employees who still wish to wear a mask throughout the facility are welcome to continue to do so.

Masks will still be made readily available within all facilities.

Masking is required in certain areas

While masking is optional in most general areas of McLaren facilities, there are still areas where masking is required.

Those areas are:

  • ICUs
  • Holding areas with critical care patients, such as emergency departments
  • Karmanos cancer centers and oncology outpatient clinics
  • Subacute/Outpatient rehabilitation units
  • Skilled nursing facilities
  • Procedural areas and operating rooms

These locations will be clearly marked, and masks will be made available at their entrances.

Patients and visitors may still ask caregivers to wear a mask

While a patient or visitor may still choose to wear a mask, they are also encouraged to ask their caregivers to wear their masks when around them if they wish for them to do so.

McLaren will continue to monitor COVID-19 activity

The decision to transition to masking optional was made because we appear to be entering a period of the pandemic in which infection rates have significantly fallen, vaccination rates are substantial, and effective treatment methods exist.

McLaren will continue to monitor COVID-19 rates and adjust guidelines accordingly.