Visitors will no longer be required to mask up in most cases at Wesley Medical Center locations. Other restrictions tied to COVID are also being relaxed. A full statement from Wesley can be read below.

Thanks to declining COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates in Wichita and across Kansas, Wesley Healthcare today is lifting masking requirements and visitor restrictions at Wesley Medical Center and Wesley Woodlawn Hospital & ER, as well as at Wesley’s freestanding emergency rooms in West Wichita and Derby.

The change was effective at 7 a.m. this morning.

“We’ve seen a significant drop in COVID-19 cases at Wesley hospitals, which mirrors what hospitals are seeing across the nation,” said Bill Voloch, president and CEO of Wesley Healthcare. “At this time, we’re confident we can make masking optional in most areas and resume normal visitation with minimal risk to visitors, patients and staff.”

While masks will no longer be required in a majority of Wesley’s hospital units, some areas will continue to require masks due to the presence of high-risk patient populations. Wesley also is asking that visitors who show any signs of respiratory illnesses continue to mask if they choose to enter a facility.

In addition, Wesley Healthcare also is relaxing visitation restrictions for all departments, eliminating the one- and two-visitors-per-patient limit established previously for emergency room and inpatient units. No visitors under the age of 13 will be allowed in any ICU.

“We’re excited to finally open our hospital back up to the public without the restrictions that have marked the past few years,” Voloch said. “Of course, we will continue to make masks available for those visitors who wish to continue. However, they will be optional beginning this morning.”