Intermountain Healthcare updates visitation policy for its hospitals, clinics

SALT LAKE CITY — All Intermountain hospitals and clinics are temporarily tightening their visitor guidelines due to a rise in the number of patients and the prevalence of the omicron variant.

“This will help further protect caregivers, keep patients safe, and help reduce the spread of COVID-19,” read a Facebook post Saturday from Intermountain Healthcare.

Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 18, only pediatric patients, laboring and postpartum mothers, and patients who are suffering from dementia or are critically ill or at end of life, are allowed to have overnight visitors.

All other visiting hours will be held between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.

“This avoids visitors removing their mask while sleeping, which increases possible exposure to our caregivers,” the post stated.

Intermountain officials went on to say that visitors must be masked at all times while inside hospitals and clinics, including in private patient rooms.

“When feasible, patients should have their masks on in the presence of a caregiver,” the post concluded.