Central Maine Healthcare, which includes Central Maine Medical Center, Rumford Hospital, Bridgton Hospital and numerous practices, will lift its mandatory masking requirement for patients, visitors and team members, and convert to a mask optional organization, effective May 1.
This decision was made after decreasing rates of COVID-19 community transmission in Maine have been recorded in recent weeks and coincides with other Maine hospitals lifting their own masking mandates.
“This day has been a long time coming, and is welcome news for many,” said John Alexander, MD, MHCM, FACEP, chief medical officer, Central Maine Healthcare. “I would like to thank everyone for their patience with the masking requirement over the past three years as we all navigated the pandemic together and took the necessary measures to keep the community safe.
“All of us at Central Maine Healthcare look forward to sharing a smile with our patients, visitors and each other.”
There are some exceptions to the lifting of the mask mandate: Those who are experiencing respiratory illness and anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 10 days will still be required to mask while at Central Maine Healthcare facilities.
Also, masking will still be required in certain places and circumstances:
- NICU and ICU– Masking is required for everyone entering patient rooms and during all contact with our patients.
- Cancer Care Center at CMMC– Masking is required for everyone entering the building and during all contact with patients.
- Infusion suites– Masking is required for everyone entering this area and during contact with patients.
Central Maine Healthcare will honor the wishes of those who want to continue to wear a mask and continue providing them upon request. During interactions with patients, team members will wear masks if patients request them to do so.
Central Maine Healthcare will continue to closely monitor community transmission rates for COVID-19 and will adjust its masking requirement accordingly.
