What to Expect at Seattle Children’s: Current Masking and Visitation Guidelines

• For patients coming for a clinic visit, Urgent Care and Emergency Department: At all of our clinics, we recommend that only 1 parent or adult caregiver come with a patient to their appointment. However, up to 4 people may come to the appointment with the patient. Siblings who are younger than 1 year old can come and are not included in the total number of people allowed at the visit.
• For patients staying at the hospital overnight: Up to 4 adult caregivers are allowed in the room with the patient at a time during visiting hours and 2 overnight. Siblings who are 10 years old or older who are not sick and do not have any symptoms may visit. Siblings younger than 1 year old may visit and may stay with the caregiver(s) overnight. No other siblings may visit unless they are a designated caregiver over the age of 18.
• For patients in certain types of isolation for respiratory viruses (e.g., patients with confirmed COVID-19): Up to 4 adult caregivers may be designated as visitors but only 2 adult caregivers are allowed in a room at a time and 2 adult caregivers can stay overnight. Siblings are not allowed in these rooms unless they are 18 years or older and a designated caregiver. This includes siblings younger than 1 year old.
• For patients coming to the Surgery Center: Up to 2 parents or adult caregivers can come to the Surgery Center and can be with the patient before and after the procedure. Siblings who are younger than 1 year old can come and are not included in the total number of people allowed at the visit. No other siblings are allowed unless they are a designated caregiver over the age of 18.

Upon arrival, patients and families are asked screening questions for signs of illness. Please contact your child’s provider if your child develops a new illness like fever, cough or runny nose before your scheduled visit.

We recommend patients, families and visitors wear a medical mask in all areas of the hospital and clinics. Masks are required in Seattle Children’s Emergency Department waiting areas. You should also wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms like coughing, sneezing, sore throat, runny nose or fever. We will have masks available as you enter if you do not have your own mask.

A member of our team will contact patients or caregivers and conduct a phone screening to determine if the patient has respiratory symptoms. If a patient has respiratory symptoms and requires viral testing, a team member will coordinate and inform you of the next steps.

Staff follow our standard work restriction policy as it applies to them if they are ill. This means they should not come to work if they have certain respiratory symptoms.