Hospital visitors must show proof of vaccination; unvaccinated/partially vaccinated individuals must have negative test, starting Aug. 11

(SACRAMENTO)

In response to rising COVID-19 rates driven by the highly contagious Delta variant, the California Department of Public Health has ordered new visitor requirements for hospitals.

The new requirement, in accordance with a California Department of Public Health order, goes into effect on Aug. 11.
The new requirement, in accordance with a California Department of Public Health order, goes into effect on Aug. 11.

Starting Aug. 11 for adult patients and Aug. 16 for pediatric patients:

Visitors to inpatient areas in UC Davis Medical Center will need to show one of the following in order to enter our hospital and same day surgery center: 

  • Individuals who are fully vaccinated must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
  • Individuals who have not been vaccinated, or are only partially vaccinated, must provide documentation of a negative COVID-19 test within the previous 72 hours.

These same rules will take effect for visitors to the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center on Aug. 16 as well. 

Individuals are considered fully vaccinated:

  • Two weeks or more after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna or vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization), OR
  • Two weeks or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson [J&J]/Janssen vaccines).

Individuals are considered “partially vaccinated” when they have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, but do not meet the definition of “fully vaccinated” above.

Types of vaccination proof that we accept:

  • COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card (issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control & Prevention or WHO Yellow Card) which includes name of person vaccinated, type of vaccine provided, and date the last dose was administered); OR
  • A print or digital copy of a completed Vaccination Record Card; OR
  • Documentation of COVID-19 vaccination from a health care provider; OR
  • A digital record that includes a QR code that when scanned by a SMART Health Card reader displays to the reader the client’s name, date of birth, vaccine dates and vaccine type.

If you cannot find your proof of vaccination, the state health department's vaccine record portal website may be helpful.

Types of negative COVID-19 test that we accept:

Visitors who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated must show documentation of a negative SARS-CoV-2 test, with the specimen collected within 72 hours before the visit. Those individuals may use either PCR or antigen testing. Sacramento County has an online resource for testing locations and information.

Other notes for visitors at UC Davis Medical Center:

The safety and well-being of our patients is important to us. We recognize this is a difficult situation and we are working to be as accommodating as possible while also following the state’s rules designed to keep us all as safe as possible during this time. We appreciate your understanding and partnership in keeping UC Davis Health safe.

Currently, up to two visitors may be identified and designated by each patient before visiting. These visitors cannot rotate with others. Hospital staff will keep a digital record of all visitors. For surgical patients whose visitors use the Main Pavilion Surgical Waiting Room (3rd floor) or the Same Day Surgery Waiting Room, each patient may have one asymptomatic adult visitor. For pediatric surgical patients whose visitors use the Children’s Surgery Center Surgical Waiting Room (2nd floor), each patient may have two asymptomatic adult visitors.  More details on our visiting policies are posted online.

For patient drop-offs and discharges:

For patients being discharged or dropped off for procedures or admissions, if there is no proof of vaccination for visitors or rides, patients will be received at the front door for admission and brought outside for discharge.

New masking requirements also in effect:

Our masking requirements for visitors have also changed. Cloth masks are no longer allowed, and visitors are required to wear a hospital-grade mask provided upon entry to the hospital.

As always, visitors are required to wear the mask covering both their nose and mouth for the entire time and length of their visit.

Limited exceptions:

The state of California only allows exemptions to the requirements above for visitors to a patient in critical condition when death may be imminent, patient caregivers who are part of the patient’s care team, support persons for labor and delivery patients, and a legal parent or guardian accompanying a pediatric patient.

Areas not currently included in these visitor requirements include the Emergency Department, obstetrics (baby labor and delivery), and ambulatory care (outpatient) facilities.

Reminder: in the Emergency Department, no visitors are allowed for patients with COVID-19 symptoms or influenza-like illness, unless the visitor is required as part of delivering clinical care. Otherwise, adult patients can have one designated asymptomatic visitor at the bedside. This visitor cannot rotate with other visitors. For pediatric patients, two asymptomatic legal guardians are allowed, and must remain at the patient's bedside. No visitors under the age of 18 are allowed.

Due to the continuously changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, please note that our visitor guidelines are subject to change at any time and may not be listed on our websites or announced in messages such as this one. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. 

Vaccination is the best defense

UC Davis Health infectious disease experts say the threat from the Delta virus mutation highlights the importance of getting vaccinated. For questions about the vaccines or how to get vaccinated through UC Davis Health, please visit our COVID-19 vaccine information for patients page.

Additional up-to-date expert information about the Delta variant, COVID-19 prevention and other coronavirus topics is available on our coronavirus homepage.