UNC Health is easing its visitor restrictions for the first time in months, citing requirements to continue protecting patients and staff from COVID-19.

The health system issued a release on Monday saying effective immediately, patients at the UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, UNC Hospitals in Hillsborough and the UNC REX Hospital in Raleigh are allowed one designated visitor in certain inpatient areas.

This is the first change to the health system’s visitor policies since March, when visitor access to inpatient areas was completely shut off in efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

All visitors will be subject to health screenings at any time and will be required to wear masks when in the hospitals. Monday’s release said UNC Health will distribute masks to visitors who do not have any. Each hospital will share visiting hours on their individual websites.

UNC Health said there will still be certain restrictions on who the visitors are, depending on their age and health conditions. Beyond having to pass a health screening, no one who has come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two weeks will be permitted. No visitors under the age of 18 will be allowed either. Visitors over the age of 65, experiencing pregnancy or are immunocompromised are discouraged from visiting.

Exceptions to these visitor restrictions will continue to be granted for end-of-life situations, minors and patients requiring family support, according to the health system.

These visitor restrictions were also lifted for the two UNC Health locations in Johnston County.

UNC Health said these visitor restrictions may be revised again as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to progress. To see the full extent of requirements, visit the health system’s web page on visitor restrictions.

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