VA Medical Center, West Los Angeles (Photo: Jesse Weinstein)

In a May 30 announcement, the Department of Veterans Affairs has eased the mandate for patients and staff to wear face masks in most VA medical facilities. This update comes after a three-year period during which patients and staff were required to wear masks at all times.

Rep. Matthew Rosendale (R-Montana) voiced concerns about the requirement for mandatory masking during a recent hearing on VA accountability, and Dr. Elnahal acknowledged the need to follow CDC rules while taking preferences into consideration.

As part of the new guidelines, masks will continue to be mandatory in areas where the risk of transmission is deemed high, as well as in units that cater to vulnerable patients, such as inpatient medical and surgical units, intensive care, chemotherapy, dialysis, and post-transplant units.

Under the revised policy, local medical leaders will assess the risk level of their respective locations. In facilities assessed as having low or medium levels of risk, leaders will have the authority to determine whether wearing masks should be optional. Prior to this change, masks were obligatory regardless of the local risk assessment.

This policy change is a key step toward modifying pandemic-related policies and comes three years after the first verified case of COVID-19 in a patient at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center.

Within the VA health system, over 875,000 patients have been diagnosed with COVID-19 as of May 31, resulting in 24,684 fatalities, according to the VA’s National Summary. While the number of COVID-19 cases has decreased significantly nationwide, approximately 2,000 Americans continue to contract the virus each week.

While the masking requirement has been lifted in certain areas, masks will remain mandatory in high-risk locations and areas where vulnerable patients receive care. The department’s decision takes into account the well-being of veterans and healthcare providers, as well as the guidelines set forth by the CDC.

Author: Rikki Almanza

Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.