As Mayo Clinic Health System continues to monitor the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease), the ongoing safety of patients, staff and communities remains a primary focus.

To protect patients and staff, Mayo Clinic Health System is putting new visitor restrictions in place for facilities in southeastern Minnesota.

Effective starting this past Monday, visitor restrictions in southeastern Minnesota hospitals and clinics include: For hospitalized patients, two visitors per patient. For all other patients, one visitor per patient. Visitors are being asked to limit the number of visits.

Beginning this week, visitors will be screened for respiratory illness and those who screen positive will be prohibited from visiting.

Exceptions may include visitors for end-of-life patients, pediatric patients and patients who have language barriers. This policy will remain in place until further notice. Visitors who are ill should not come to visit patients.

Please encourage patients and families to exercise social distancing as a means of protecting themselves and their family members. We encourage family members to consider other ways to connect with their loved ones via phones or other devices.

Along with the visitor restrictions, Mayo has also temporarily suspended its valet service until further notice.

Visit www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/covid19 for contact information and the most up-to-the-minute information about COVID-19 and what to do if you have symptoms, unrelated health care needs, or need to visit someone at the clinic or hospital. You can also view updates via Mayo Clinic Health System’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels.