Universal Masking

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) has put into place a number of patient safety measures, aimed at reducing the spread of the virus and keeping patients visitors, care partners and staff safe.

Although Maryland has lifted its mask mandate, UMMS continues to require that everyone inside our facilities wear a mask. This includes patients arriving for in-person appointments and procedures, the limited number of visitors allowed in our visitor restrictions policy and our staff.

Because the coronavirus spreads through droplets in the air, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended wearing a mask to reduce transmission. Also, a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in June of 2020 found that face masks are "the most effective means to prevent interhuman transmission."

If you already have a mask that you wear in public spaces, we ask that you bring when coming to our facilities. We will give you a mask upon entering if you don't have one.

To conserve masks for our clinical workers caring for patients and others who may need them, we are asking visitors to please safely store and reuse face masks for return visits. Disposable masks should be replaced if damaged or soiled. Cloth masks should be washed whenever soiled and daily, if possible. Visitors should reuse masks during subsequent visits.