Essentia Health moving to voluntary masking in most situations

After careful consideration of the state of COVID-19. Essentia Health will move to a voluntary masking policy for most staff, patients and visitors. This change goes into effect on Monday, April 3rd and applies to the Essential hospitals, clinics and home health care. Voluntary masking does not apply to Essentia’s long-term care/nursing home facilities or assisted living facilities which will continue to evaluate masking protocols separately. Hospice staff will follow the policies of the facilities they enter. Masks will remain available at the facility entrances and they will continue to follow appropriate transmission based precautions. Essentia Health will still encourage masks for anyone who has symptoms consistent with a COVID-19 infection, a COVID-19 exposure or other infectious respiratory illness.