Visitor Restrictions and Screening Information

Visitor Restrictions at Newton-Wellesley Hospital

Due to the increase of COVID-19 infections in our community, visitors are no longer permitted at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, effective Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Your safety and the safety of our staff are our top priorities. We greatly appreciate your cooperation and understanding. You can review the full, updated Mass General Brigham Visitor Policy here.

In some instances, a support person is permitted. A Support Person does not count as a visitor. A support person may be a birth partner; labor support coach, parent of a patient under the age of 18; attorney of the patient; or companion for a patient with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. 

Antenatal, Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, Special Care Nursery

At this time, Labor & Delivery, Postpartum and Special Care Nursery will not be allowing visitors. A Partner or Support Person is welcome 24 hours a day on our Labor & Delivery floor. Due to Covid-19, a second Support Person is only allowed in Labor & Delivery. Only one Support Person is allowed in Postpartum.

• Patients in Antenatal/Postpartum may be accompanied by one (1) support person only.
• Special Care Nursery patients may be seen by two (2) support people at a time.

Inpatients
For patients who do not quality for an Essential Visitor or Support Person, a single Non-Essential Visitor will now be permitted for inpatients.

• Non-Essential Visitors:
  • Will be allowed to visit daily from 1 to 8 p.m.
  • Will not be allowed for inpatients on Enhanced Respiratory Isolation.
  • Will not be permitted in any other areas of the hospital, including ED, Ambulatory locations, and procedural areas.
  • Must comply with the Massachusetts travel policy.
• Non-Essential Visitors will be permitted for psychiatric patients by appointment only during the following hours:
  • Monday to Friday: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturdays and Sundays: 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Essential Visitors and Support Persons will only be permitted access to the cafeteria, Charlie’s, and the gift shop in exceptional circumstances.

Perioperative Patients (Main OR, Outpatient Surgery Center, GI, Cardiovascular Center)

One visitor may drop off the patient, wait with them until they are ready to enter the procedural area and pick them up post-procedure.

• No Visitors are allowed in the pre-op or PACU areas. 
• Family members/person dropping off patient will receive text updates throughout the procedure and will be notified when the patient is ready for pick-up

Emergency Department/Outpatient Appointments at the Hospital
To allow for physical distancing in areas with space limitations, visitors should not accompany patients to outpatient appointments or the Emergency Department, unless one support person is required. 

Offsite Locations and Practices
Offsite locations and practices should discourage visitors unless a support person is required. Only one support person is allowed. All patients, visitors and support people must be screened for symptoms upon arrival, and must wear a mask at all times.

All approved visitors must be over 18 years of age—and will be encouraged to remain six (6) feet from patients at all times and to wash or sanitize their hands before visiting a patient room.

Screening of Visitors and Patients Continues

We will continue to screen patients and visitors for symptoms, travel history and exposure to potential COVID-19 cases at new check-in desks in the East Lobby, West Lobby and Cancer Center. Patients may still access the Medical Office Buildings without checking in at the lobby. Please note: If you are coming into the hospital after 6pm, you must enter through the Emergency Department as all other entrances will be closed 6pm-6am.