Visiting standards

Visiting standards at Children’s Minnesota

The following visiting standards have been reviewed by the Visiting Standards Work Group, last updated on September 24, 2025. Visitor standards at Children’s Minnesota may change based flu, RSV or COVID rates in the community and other factors. Visiting standards are in place to protect patients, families, visitors and staff.

• Parents/legal guardians may visit 24 hours per day. For all others, visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• All parents/legal guardians and visitors must follow current hospital masking guidance.
• All parents/legal guardians and visitors are screened for wellness daily and may not visit if they do not pass the wellness screening.
• No more than FOUR people may visit at the bedside at one time. This includes parents/legal guardians.
  • Note: Clergy are not considered visitors and may be present in a patient’s room above and beyond the limit of four people at a time, as long as they have passed the wellness screening.
• Avoid touching one’s face and wash hands frequently.
• Wash hands frequently.
• Visiting may be further restricted by staff based on the patient’s condition.

Visiting children

• Children under age 2: May not visit.
• Children ages 2-4:
  • If patient is hospitalized for 2 weeks or less: may not visit.
  • If patient is hospitalized for more than 2 weeks: siblings ages 2-4 from the same household who pass wellness screening may visit one time per week for up to 30 minutes.
  • In neonatal units: In addition to the above, siblings ages 2-4are allowed a one-time visit to meet their new sibling(s) within the first two weeks of life. (Excludes CVICU).
• Children age 5-11: Must be from the same household as the patient to visit.
• Age 12-15: Must be initially accompanied to the hospital by an adult. If they demonstrate appropriate behavior, specific arrangements may be made with nursing to visit without an accompanying adult.
• Age 16-17: May visit independently if approved by the patient’s legal guardian.

Masking guidelines

• Masks are required in certain situations, such as:
  • When a child has a diagnosis that requires masks to be worn.
  • If a parent/legal guardian has mild symptoms such as cough or runny nose (Visitors who are not a parent/legal guardian may not visit with symptoms of illness.)
  • Exposure to someone with COVID-19 or other illness.
• For patients with respiratory illness:
  • Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear a mask when visiting.
  • Parents/legal guardians should consider limiting visitors to prevent additional exposures.
• Anyone who wishes to wear a mask may do so.
• Parents/legal guardians may request that their care team wear an ear loop mask.
• Children’s Minnesota staff will continue to wear standard personal protective equipment such as gloves, gown, and masks, per policies when needed.