Temporary Visitor Restrictions in Effect Starting Monday, Dec. 15
New visiting guidelines are being implemented for inpatient areas throughout the Albany Med Health System due to seasonal respiratory viruses. These temporary restrictions are intended to help limit the transmission of viruses and other illnesses and to protect the health and safety of patients and the professionals who provide care.
See below for specific guidelines at each hospital.
Implementation of the new guidelines will begin Dec. 15, 2025.
Albany Medical Center Visitor Policy
Guidelines as of Dec. 15, 2025
- Visiting hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Do not visit if you have a cold, or respiratory or flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath).
- Children under 12 are not permitted to visit inpatient areas.
- All visitors must enter through the B2 entrance.
- Only two visitors are allowed at a patient's bedside at a time.
- Pediatric patients and patients with special needs may have one visitor stay overnight at bedside.
- Patients admitted outside of visiting hours may be accompanied to the unit by two visitors for 15 minutes.
- Labor and Delivery patients may have two visitors and a doula (if requested) at the bedside.
- Members of the clergy may visit at any time with a patient's permission.
- Visitors should wash their hands before entering and upon leaving a patient’s room and utilize the hand sanitizers located throughout the hospital, including the doorways of many patient rooms.
- Visitors to patients who are on enhanced droplet and contact precautions need to see a nurse about PPE before entering a patient's room.
- The health care team is able to make some exceptions to meet the needs of patients in certain circumstances such as end-of-life.
Columbia Memorial Health Visitor Policy
Guidelines as of Dec. 15, 2025
- Visiting is not allowed if you have any respiratory or flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath).
- Patients may have up to two healthy visitors per day.
- Children under age 12 are restricted from visiting.
- Visiting hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Patient and family conferences may be scheduled outside of this timeframe.
- Intensive Care Unit
Two visitors are allowed from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Surgical Services
Patients undergoing surgical procedures may be accompanied to the hospital by one person over the age of 18. - Emergency Room
One designated visitor is allowed per patient. - Psychiatric Services
Two visitors are allowed Monday through Friday 4 to 7 p.m., weekends and holidays 2 to 7 p.m.
No visitors under the age of 18.
Arrangements will be made by the treatment team for special circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
Glens Falls Hospital Visitor Policy
Guidelines as of Dec. 15, 2025
- Visiting is not allowed if you have any respiratory or flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath).
- Visiting hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Each inpatient may have two healthy visitors at a time; visitors may come and go during visiting hours.
- Visitors must be 12 or older.
- Visitors will enter only through the Tower Entrance where they will be greeted and screened by security.
- Visitors will be asked to use hand sanitizer at the screening station and practice good hand hygiene for the duration of their visit.
- Eating and drinking in patient rooms is allowed.
- Visitation is not allowed for Covid positive infectious patients.
- On the day of discharge from an inpatient stay, two visitors may accompany the patient for the discharge process outside of visiting hours.
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- The Joyce Stock Snuggery
Up to two support people (Doulas welcome as an additional 3rd support person) will be allowed. For the Special Care Nursery, patients may have one birth parent plus one significant other who must remain in the room for the duration of the visit. - Emergency Department
Limited to one visitor at a time who may leave and return, or swap with another visitor, if necessary. Visitors to patients experiencing viral symptoms must wear a mask while in the department. Staff will exercise their best clinical judgment in determining when visitation may be temporarily limited based on departmental needs. Compassionate exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. - Same Day Surgeries and Outpatient Procedures
One visitor may accompany the patient during admission and rejoin them for the discharge process. Those accompanying a same day surgical or procedural treatment patient can stay in the waiting area or Tower Lobby waiting area. Visitors may also use the cafeteria, located in the basement of the central corridor. Visitation for off-site locations, special areas related to pediatric patients, patients for whom a support person has been determined to be essential to the care of the patient, and patients in imminent end-of-life and compassionate exceptions remain unchanged. - Critical Care Unit
Visiting hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Each patients can have two visitors at a time. Visitors must be age 12 and older; visitors under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times. There may be times when visitation must be restricted for privacy or patient care needs. Visitors must be free of contagious disease. Restricted items include fresh flowers, plants, fruit baskets, blankets/stuffed animals, and food or drink from outside.
Saratoga Hospital Visitor Policy
Guidelines as of Dec. 15, 2025
- Visiting hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Each patient may have two visitors at a time.
- Visitors must be age 12 or older; Visitors under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Do not visit if you have a cold, or respiratory or flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath).
- Masks are recommended but not required unless you have respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, fever).
- All pediatric patients up to age 18 may have two designated support persons with them at all times.
- Patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, and patients with cognitive impairments (including dementia) may designate one support person to remain with them throughout their hospitalization.
- Behavioral Health Unit
Limited to one unique visitor per day.
Visiting hours: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. - Emergency Department
One visitor may accompany the patient 24/7. Children under the age of 18 may have two parents/guardians. Staff will exercise their best clinical judgment in determining when visitation may be temporarily limited based on departmental needs. Compassionate exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. - Mother/Baby Unit
Up to 2 support people, which includes a doula, are allowed during labor. No additional visitors during labor.
Postpartum visitation: Open visitation 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. No visitors under the age of 18 years old, unless it is a sibling of the newborn. - Surgical Services
One support person may accompany the patient. Children under 18 may have two parents/guardians.
