This affects Albany Med, Columbia Memorial, Saratoga and Glens Falls Hospitals.

Starting January 6, Albany Medical Center and its partners will put in place temporary visitor restrictions due to the spread of seasonal respiratory viruses.

Albany Medical Center Restrictions:

• Visiting is not allowed if you have any respiratory or flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath).
• Only two visitors are allowed at a patient's bedside at a time.
• Children under age 12 are restricted from visiting.
• Visiting hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• All visitors must enter through the B2 entrance.
• Visitors should wash their hands before entering and upon leaving a patient’s room and utilize the hand sanitizers located throughout the hospital, including the doorways of many patient rooms.
• Visitors to patients who are on enhanced droplet and contact precautions need to see a nurse about PPE before entering a patient's room.
• Pediatric patients and patients with special needs may have one visitor stay overnight at bedside.
• Patients admitted outside of visiting hours may be accompanied to the unit by two visitors for 15 minutes.
• Labor and Delivery patients may have two visitors and a doula (if requested) at the bedside.
• Members of the clergy may visit at any time with a patient's permission.
• The health care team is able to make some exceptions to meet the needs of patients in certain circumstances such as end-of-life.

 Columbia Memorial Health Restrictions:

• Visiting is not allowed if you have any respiratory or flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath).
• Patients may have up to two healthy visitors per day.
• Children under age 12 are restricted from visiting.
• Visiting hours are from noon to 8 p.m.
• Patient and family conferences may be scheduled outside of this timeframe.

 Saratoga Hospital Restrictions: 

• Visiting hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Each patient may have two visitors at a time.
• Visitors must be age 12 or older; Visitors under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Masks are recommended but not required unless you have respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, fever) or you have had a Covid exposure within the last 10 days.
• All pediatric patients up to age 18 may have two designated support persons with them at all times.
• Patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, and patients with cognitive impairments (including dementia) may designate one support person to remain with them throughout their hospitalization.
• Visitation for Covid patients remains restricted, although compassionate exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. Saratoga Hospital will provide visitors with proper PPE.

Glens Falls Hospital Restrictions: 

• Visiting hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Each inpatient may have two visitors per day; visitors may come and go during visiting hours.
• Visitors must be 18 or older.
• Visitors will enter only through the Tower Entrance where they will be greeted and screened by security.
• Visitors will be asked to use hand sanitizer at the screening station and practice good hand hygiene for the duration of their visit.
• Eating and drinking in patient rooms is allowed.
• Visitation is not allowed for Covid positive infectious patients.
• On the day of discharge from an inpatient stay, two visitors may accompany the patient for the discharge process outside of visiting hours.

 For more, visit AlbanyMed.org.