COVID-19 rule changes: Cleveland Clinic allowing more visitors amid steady case trends

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Clinic is changing its visitation policies amid COVID-19 and will allow more people to visit patients while also dropping age restrictions.

Beginning Tuesday, inpatients can have two people visit them at a time, with no limit on the number of people who visit throughout the day, while following all other restrictions like visitation hours and mask requirements.

The hospital system announced Monday that it could safely allow more people to visit loved ones in the hospital since “COVID-19 cases remain steady in our communities.” The changes are for locations in Ohio and Florida.

Three key changes are:

• Two individuals can visit a patient at a time. Before, only two could visit per day. But now if both visitors leave and check out, two more could come in and visit.

• Age restrictions are being lifted. Under prior rules, visitors had to be at least 18 years old.

• Visitors now have to check in and check out of the hospital when visiting. Part of the reason is so staff can make sure patients have only two visitors at a time.

Visitation hours remain 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. , and visitors must wear masks while inside any Cleveland Clinic facility. People visiting patients with COVID-19 must follow additional guidelines, which includes wearing a mask, eye protection, gown and gloves.

People who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who tested positive must wait at least ten days before visiting a patient.

Full guidelines can be found at clevelandclinic.org/visitation.