Hackensack meridian reinstates mask requirement for hospital visitors

Hackensack Meridian reinstates mask requirement for hospital visitors

Posted by
1 min read
December 2, 2025

TOMS RIVER, NJ – Hackensack Meridian Health announced that starting December 1, visitors to patients at any of its facilities will be required to wear masks when visiting admitted patients.

The policy, reinstated at the start of respiratory virus season, aims to protect patients, staff, and visitors as flu, RSV, and COVID-19 cases rise across the region.

In a statement shared on social media, the health network said the measure is being taken “to ensure the safety and health of our patients, team members, and visitors.”

The rule applies to all Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals and care centers across New Jersey and will remain in effect through the winter months, when respiratory infections typically increase.

Photo: hackensack meridian reinstates mask requirement for hospital visitors

Precaution follows seasonal virus uptick

Health officials across the state have reported growing numbers of influenza and other respiratory illnesses, prompting many medical systems to review infection-control practices ahead of the holidays. Hackensack Meridian joins other regional health networks in tightening visitor policies to prevent the spread of illness within hospitals.

Photo: hackensack meridian reinstates mask requirement for hospital visitors

Patients and visitors are encouraged to check facility-specific guidance before visiting and to stay home if they are feeling sick or experiencing symptoms of a respiratory infection.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version