Inova Updates Masking Policy

Fairfax, VA – At Inova, we use masks to protect team members and patients. As our region is currently seeing high levels of Influenza, and with rising cases of flu in Inova emergency departments (EDs), we now are categorizing EDs as “high-risk” areas where masking is required for all team members, patients and visitors, effective Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. 

Masks will continue to be offered to visitors and provided to team members. While everyone must wear a mask in high-risk areas, masking is recommended in all care sites for anyone who is immunocompromised and we are also encouraging team members, patients and visitors to wear a mask in other patient-facing areas.

Masking continues to be required in high-risk clinical spaces where patients are at high risk for severe illness. These include:

• Inova Fairfax Medical Campus Adult Oncology Unit
• Inova Fairfax Medical Campus Transplant Clinic
• All Neonatal Intensive Care Units
• All Newborn Nurseries
• Pediatric Hem-Onc Clinic
• Pediatric Hem-Onc Inpatient Unit

We are closely monitoring the situation and will revisit this guidance in the coming weeks.

When should you use masks?

• Always in designated high-risk areas (now including EDs)
• Additionally in other patient-facing areas, especially if you have respiratory symptoms

What other precautions can you take?

• Follow proper hand hygiene
• Practice respiratory hygiene
• Stay home if you have symptoms of respiratory infection

Thank you for helping to protect the health and safety of our patients and fellow team members.