Christmas Day is the last day many New Jersey residents
will be able to visit loved ones in the hospital due to policy changes brought
on by the Omicron variant.
RWJBarnabas
Health, one of New Jersey's
largest hospital systems, is changing it’s visitor policy, saying
the safety and wellbeing of patients, visitors and staffs is their No. 1 priority.
That
includes inpatient acute care, emergency departments, behavioral health and
outpatient services.
There
are exceptions, including at pediatric units, maternity and labor/delivery, neonatal
intensive care, pediatric psychiatric and patients with disabilities.
Even
in those areas, the number of visitors is restricted. There will be other
exceptions on an individual basis.
No
one under 18 is allowed inside at all.
The
hospital system is encouraging family and friends use FaceTime or Zoom to
interact.
Anyone
who is approved to go inside must wear a mask and wash their hands before and
after visiting.