As of July 12, 2022, Penn Medicine will end the requirement for visitors to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine or negative COVID-19 test.
Visitors are still required to wear a well-fitting surgical mask, KN95, or other approved mask at all times in Penn Medicine facilities. Mask wearing while at the patient’s bedside will be reinforced through signs and messaging. Masking remains the best strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our entities.
We decided to end the proof of vaccination requirement for visitors based on the characteristics and community spread of current COVID-19 variants. As the pandemic continues to evolve, new omicron subvariants have become the dominant virus in our communities. These subvariants cause milder illness, particularly among vaccinated persons, but are more transmissible. Vaccination remains a highly effective tool to prevent severe illness and hospitalization when infected with the omicron variants.
The proof of vaccination requirement for visitors may be reinstated in the future if the situation changes.