MCHS puts new visitor restrictions in place for facilities in southeastern Minnesota

Officials with Mayo Clinic Health System stated today that as they continue to monitor the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease), the ongoing safety of their patients, staff and communities remains their primary focus. To protect patients and staff, Mayo Clinic Health System is putting new visitor restrictions in place for their facilities in Southeast Minnesota.

Effective as of Monday, visitor restrictions in Southeast Minnesota hospitals and clinics include: For hospitalized patients, two visitors per patient. For all other patients, one visitor per patient. Visitors are being asked to limit the number of visits.

Beginning this week, visitors will be screened for respiratory illness and those who screen positive will be prohibited from visiting.

Exceptions may include visitors for end-of-life patients, pediatric patients and patients who have language barriers. The policy will remain in place until further notice. Visitors who are ill should not come to visit patients.

Mayo encourages patients and families to exercise social distancing as a means of protecting themselves and their family members.  They also encourage family members to consider other ways to connect with their loved ones via phones or other devices.

Mayo understands that the restrictions will be difficult for patients and their loved ones.  They stated that they are taking these necessary steps to protect their patients and staff. As always, they said that the needs of their patients come first.

Please visit our Mayo Clinic Health System COVID-19 online resource site for contact information and the most up-to-the-minute information about COVID-19 and what to do if you have symptoms, unrelated health care needs, or need to visit someone at the clinic or hospital. You can also view updates via Mayo Clinic Health System’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels.