March 22, 2021 – Utah’s statewide mask mandate expires on April 10, but mask guidelines for Intermountain Healthcare caregivers, patients, and visitors at Intermountain hospitals and facilities will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
Intermountain caregivers working in patient-facing areas or with visitors will continue to follow all PPE guidelines and wear a procedure mask and eye protection.
Intermountain caregivers in non-patient-facing areas will continue to wear cloth face coverings.
Patients and visitors should continue to wear cloth face coverings. Masking will continue to be required within all Intermountain hospitals and facilities
“Our guidelines have worked and it’s important to continue our focus on patient and caregiver safety,” said Eddie Stenehjem, MD, Intermountain Healthcare infectious diseases physician.
Other reasons why Intermountain isn’t changing masking guidelines for patient and caregivers right now: The risk of transmission of COVID-19 variants remains a concern, especially with movement between counties and states.
“Masks and face coverings are most effective when used in combination with physical distancing and frequent hand hygiene,” said Dr. Stenehjem.
“We had a mask requirement in our hospitals, in our clinic facilities well before any kind of state mandate. We did it because masks protect patients, they protect caregivers and they protect visitors, just plain and simple,” Dr. Stenehjem said.