Visiting standards at Children’s Minnesota
The following visiting standards have been reviewed by the Visiting Standards Work Group, last updated on March 14, 2025. Visitor standards at Children’s Minnesota may change based on COVID-19 rates, seasonal illnesses 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.
- Wash hands frequently.
- Visiting may be further restricted by staff based on the patient’s condition.
Visitors under the age of 18
- Children up to age 11 must be from the same household as the patient in order to visit.
- No children under age 2 may visit.
- Children ages 2-4:
- Children ages 2-4 may not visit if the patient is hospitalized for 2 weeks or less.
- If the patient is hospitalized for more than 2 weeks, siblings ages 2-4 who pass the wellness screening may visit one time per week for up to 30 minutes.
- In neonatal units, siblings ages 2-4 will be allowed a one-time visit to meet their new sibling(s) within the first 2 weeks of life. (Note: this excludes CVICU)
- Adolescents ages 12-15 must be initially accompanied to the hospital by an adult. If they demonstrate appropriate behaviors, specific arrangements may be made with nursing to visit without an accompanying adult.
- Adolescents ages 16-17 are allowed to visit independently if approved by the patient’s legal guardian.
Masking guidelines
- Masks are optional for parents/legal guardians, visitors, employees, volunteers, students, staff and contractors except when required by policy.
- Anyone can wear a mask if they want to.
- Parents/legal guardians can request that their care team wear a mask.
- Masks are required in some situations, such as:
- When a child has a diagnosis that requires masks to be worn.
- If you are a parent/legal guardian with mild symptoms such as cough or runny nose. (If you have symptoms of illness and are not a parent/legal guardian, please do not visit.)
- If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or other illness.
- Children’s Minnesota staff will continue to wear standard personal protective equipment such as gloves, gown and masks, per policies when needed.
