ELIZABETHTOWN — Elizabethtown Community Hospital began easing restrictions on visitations at its facilities at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, the day of the announcement.

Patient visitation was suspended in November in response to a surge in the coronavirus pandemic.

The hospital’s updated visitation policy is based on state Department of Health guidelines and includes screening of visitors, mask requirements and limiting visiting hours to four hours per day, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., seven days per week.

All visitors should enter through the main entrance and are required to undergo a COVID-19 symptom screening and have their temperature taken. Visitors are required to sign in and provide contact information, and wash their hands before heading directly to a patient’s room. All visitors must wear a mask for the duration of their visit.

Visitors with COVID-like symptoms or a fever of 100 degrees will not be permitted to enter. Nor will visitors who meet criteria for quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19 or travel to a restricted state. Only one visitor is permitted at a time for each patient. Up to two visitors may visit a patient per day. Visitors are asked to limit time in common areas and maintain social distancing. Visitors must be 18 years or older.

Due to space limitations preventing appropriate social distancing, visitation is still restricted in the Radiology Department, Physical Therapy Departments (including Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation) and Chemotherapy/Infusion Unit except when medically necessary to facilitate care.

Special considerations for pediatric patients, end-of-life-care patients, and patients with an intellectual, developmental or cognitive disability are included in the visitor policy.