Vaccination Proof Required For Yale New Haven Health Visitors

NEW HAVEN, CT — Yale New Haven Health announced Wednesday that all visitors to admitted patients in its hospitals will have to show proof of being fully vaccinated or a negative PCR test to visit.

Yale New Haven Health is making this change in response to the increase of COVID-19 cases, according to officials. The vaccination requirement is effective at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23.

Patients will be allowed only one visitor per day due to rising cases, according to officials. All visitors must be 18 years or older.

Visitors are required to show a government-issued photo ID prior to entry. All visitors are required to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination (14 days post final COVID vaccine dose) before entering.

“Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors are eligible for visitation only if they can provide proof of a negative PCR test that was collected within 72 hours of visit,” according to a news release. “Please note that home test kits are not accepted.”

Officials said exceptions to the policy are determined by the patient’s care team and include, but not limited to, partners of laboring patients, patients with disabilities and end-of-life situations.

“In response to the increase in COVID-19 cases, we made the difficult decision to require proof of vaccination across our health system to keep our patients, visitors and staff as safe as possible,” said Thomas Balcezak, MD, chief clinical officer, Yale New Haven Health. “By taking these steps, it’s essential that we examine what best practices are and move forward to limit the opportunity for exposure. By showing proof of full vaccination or recent negative test status, we are making every effort to keep risk minimized and ensure the health and well-being of everyone across our health system. The health and safety of our patients, families and staff members is our top priority. These visitation guidelines will balance preventing the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 with the needs of our patients and their loved ones.”

Yale New Haven Health includes Yale New Haven Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London and Westerly Hospital in Rhode Island.