The Outer Banks Hospital, other Vidant hospitals, banning visitors starting at 5 p.m.

Vidant Health will institute a ban of all visitors, with limited exceptions, to The Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head and their other hospitals in eastern North Carolina beginning Friday at 5 p.m.

“Vidant Health values family and community presence when loved ones and friends are in the hospital. At the same time, our organization is responsible for protecting patients from being exposed to infectious viruses,” the company said in a statement Friday.

There are several exceptions to the new policy, to accommodate special circumstances on a case-by-case basis. One healthy adult visitor, after an on-site screening will be allowed in the following areas:

• Maynard Children’s Hospital
• Pediatrics Unit/NICU
• Maternity and Postpartum Unit (one healthy partner allowed)
• Clinics located inside a hospital
• Discharge pick up
• Emergency departments for patients requiring assistance only and pediatric patients (parent or caregiver only)

As a part of preventative measures during COVID-19, Vidant will be validating the temperature of all allowed visitors prior to entry in addition to screening which includes the following questions:

• Do you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath or any other symptoms of illness?
• Have you traveled within the last 14 days or been exposed to anyone who is sick?

This is a rapidly developing situation and Vidant officials continue to closely monitor the spread of COVID-19. For the latest information on COVID-19, to include confirmed cases in North Carolina, please visit ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, cdc.gov/coronavirus or VidantHealth.com/covid19.