NJ's Largest Hospital System Reinstates Mask Mandate

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — New Jersey's largest hospital system just reinstated a mask mandate for all hospital staff, patients and visitors.

Masks are now required at all hospitals owned by RWJ Barnabas, which is headquartered in New Brunswick. The hospital instated the mask requirement effective Monday of this week.

In this new alert posted Monday, RWJ said they will provide new masks for everyone who walks in their doors, and they "may ask you to replace your own mask with a hospital-supplied mask." Hospital visitors will also be asked to wipe their hands down with sanitizer before entering hospital facilities.

This comes as COVID-19 cases have been rising in New Jersey, but are the infection risk is listed as "low," according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

New Jersey's other two largest health system, Hackensack Meridian and Atlantic Health, do not currently have a mask mandate in place for hospital visitors or staff.

At RWJ's outpatient facilities, such as doctors' offices, masks are not currently required but are "strongly encouraged."

Also, RWJ asks that if you have a fever, cough, muscle or body aches, or are experiencing COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms, or if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or another contagious respiratory illness, such as flu or RSV, that you stay home and not come into the hospital.

At RWJ doctors' offices, masks are required for any patient or doctor treating anyone with respiratory symptoms. And, "every patient has the right to request their healthcare provider and staff wear a mask when treating them," said RWJ Barnabas this week.