Effective Tuesday, March 21, 2023, TPMG will suspend the mask requirement, as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic, but with one provision: at the discretion of the managing physician for the site you are visiting, that site may require the patient, any visitors, and staff, to continue to wear a mask that is appropriate for COVID-19 just as we have since the beginning of the pandemic.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If I visit an office that has chosen to drop the mask requirement but I feel more comfortable with one on, may I continue to wear a mask? Yes, you may.
If I visit a site that has chosen to drop the mask requirement but I feel more comfortable with one on and want to wear one at the site, may I request that the staff and provider place their masks back on while I am there? Yes, you may; however, the decision of whether or not the staff and provider will comply with your request is up to the management of that specific site/office.
If I visit a site that has decided to continue with a mask requirement, but I do not want to wear one, will I still be allowed to be seen that day? You would not be allowed to be seen on-site, but you could speak with the office to see if they are able to offer a telehealth visit.
If I visit a site that continues to require a mask to be seen and I do not want to wear one and I am refused the in-person visit for that reason, to whom should I direct my concern? Your concern would be kept at that specific office and addressed to the management for that site. Each site determines its own mask policy now.
If a site refuses to see me because they have continued with the mask requirement and I do not want to wear a mask, should I contact the TPMG administration office? No, you would be referred back to the site. TPMG administration supports the decision that each office is responsible for this decision based on circumstances that are present at that site and will not intervene.
Are there any reasons I may be required to wear a mask to an office that has said that masks are not required? Yes:
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- There is a concern you have a suspected case of COVID or some other respiratory infection (symptoms of runny nose, cough, sneeze, or flu-like illness).
- You have a fever (temperature of 100.4 or greater).
- You have had close contact or high-risk exposure to someone with COVID in the previous 14 days.
- You had close contact with someone with the flu in the previous 7 days.
- You live or work in an area or facility with a recent COVID or flu outbreak.
TPMG Clinical Research Division in Williamsburg is conducting clinical research trials to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 among household contacts. Click here to learn more about the trials or to see if you may qualify, call (757) 707-3503 or email [email protected].
