Face mask guidance updated at Oxford University Hospitals

This article is from 6 July 2022.  This situation could change in time.

From 6 July 2022, the guidance around wearing face masks at OUH has changed.

Patients must wear masks in the following areas and under certain conditions.

• You have symptoms of COVID-19, or have tested positive for COVID-19
• You have symptoms of a respiratory illness
• In clinical areas, such as on our wards.

You do not have to wear masks in other areas, but we encourage you to do so and will support you if that is your choice.

Visitors must wear masks in all clinical areas.

Dr Anny Sykes, Interim Chief Medical Officer at OUH, said:

"We will continue to support our patients and their visitors to wear face masks in all areas of our hospitals if that is their preference, and mask dispensers will remain in place in the various entrances to our hospitals.

"Please continue to clean your hands on entering any of our facilities and as often as possible using soap and water or hand sanitiser.

Please do not visit our hospitals if you have flu-like symptoms, COVID-19 symptoms, currently have or had diarrhoea and vomiting in the past 48 hours, have been in contact with anyone with the above symptoms in the last 48 hours, or have an existing medical condition or are on medication that puts you at risk of infection.  

"We will continue to keep this updated guidance under review."

Thank you for supporting us by doing your part in keeping our hospitals and communities safe.