Visitor Guidelines

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is a health care facility that must follow different rules and regulations than other public spaces. At this time, CHLA still has COVID-19 precautions in place. Please read the visitor guidelines below to learn about the precautions in each area of our campus. Thank you for helping us keep our CHLA community safe and healthy!

Different areas of the hospital have different precautions in place. Please review the guidelines for the area of the hospital you plan to visit. All visitors should continue to follow physical distancing guidelines.

Hospital Admissions (Inpatients)

Visiting hours are from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Parents, legal guardians and designated caregivers are welcome 24 hours per day. Visitors of any age who live with the patient may visit. Other visitors who don’t live with the patient must be 12 years old or older.

Visits to PICU, Page PICU, CTICU, CV Acute, 4 East and 4 West, 5 East and 5 West, 6 East and 6 West, Duque Med-Surg, and Duque 6 Rehab:

  • Up to three (3) individuals (caregivers and/or visitors) can visit at the bedside at any given time. 
    Examples:
    Two (2) legal guardians and one (1) visitor, OR three (3) visitors

Visits to NICCU, and BMT:

  • Up to two (2) individuals (caregivers and/or visitors) at the bedside at any given time. 
    Examples:
    One (1) legal guardian and one (1) visitor, OR two (2) parents

Clinic Appointments (Outpatients)

  • Three (3) individuals (caregivers and/or visitors) who do not have symptoms of illness can go with the patient to the clinic.
  • Siblings are only allowed for caregivers who do not have childcare.

Radiology Appointments

  • Up to two (2) individuals (caregivers and/or visitors) can go with the patient to the testing and waiting areas, due to space limitations.

Please note: some clinics have smaller waiting areas. Additional visitors may be asked to wait on the first floor of the hospital.

Surgery

  • Two (2) caregivers are allowed to enter the hospital with the patient on the day of the procedure.

Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC)

  • One (1) caregiver can go with the patient to the ASC.
  • The second caregiver must wait on the first floor near the Giraffe elevators until called to attend the post-operative conference.

Main Operating Room and Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

  • Two (2) caregivers can go with the patient to Surgical Admitting for check-in.
  • Only one (1) caregiver can go with the patient to Pre-Op/PACU.
  • The second caregiver must wait in the Surgical Admitting waiting area until called to attend the post-operative conference.

Emergency Department

  • Up to two (2) individuals (caregivers and/or visitors) can go with the patient to waiting areas and patient rooms, due to space limitations.

Please note: Space in our ED is limited due to a high demand for services. Please seek treatment in our ED only for serious illnesses and injuries.

Symptoms Check

  • Visitors at all CHLA locations will be screened for:
    • Fever or chills
    • Headache
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
    • Cough or sore throat
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue, or muscle or body aches
  • Caregivers who come to campus and are sick will be highly discouraged from visiting their child. Parents and legal guardians may designate another individual as an alternate caregiver for their child.
  • Other visitors who have symptoms of any illness will not be allowed to visit.
  • Visitors diagnosed as COVID-positive will not be allowed to visit.

Masking Guidelines

Masks are required in specific areas of our campus and in specific situations.

NOTE: Masking recommendations do not apply to visitors with a disability who cannot wear a mask or to children under 2 years old. 

Masks are required in:Generally, masks are required when:
  • Patient Rooms
  • Clinic/exam rooms
  • Waiting rooms
  • Family Resource Center
  • Check-in desks in or near waiting areas
  • Playrooms/Teen Lounge
  • Hallways when groups gather for Family Centered Rounds
  • Spaces in or near treatment service areas, including:
    • Dialysis
    • PACU
    • Radiology
    • Dentistry
  • You are in the same location for 15 minutes or more.
  • There is contact between:
    • Patients
    • Visitors
    • Research participants
    • CHLA team members
  • An arm's-length distance is not possible, including in:
    • Meeting rooms
    • Indoor patient events
    • Hallways

Masks are recommended, but not required in all other areas of the hospital including:

  • Nursing stations
  • Bathrooms
  • Gift shop
  • Patient/visitor elevators
  • Lobby/first floor of health care buildings
  • Hallways within a unit or clinic
  • Cafeteria and dining area

The health and safety of our patients, families and team members is our top priority.

To allow for a safe, healing environment please follow these rules while you are here:

  • Be respectful.
  • Speak in a quiet tone.
  • Respect the property of others.
  • Wear your visitor badge and do not share it with others.
  • Do not make threats or use violent words.
  • Do not touch others or use physical violence.
  • No drug or alcohol use.
  • No smoking or use of tobacco products of any kind (including vaping or e-cigarettes).
  • No weapons are allowed on hospital property. Only authorized security officers and on-duty law enforcement officers may carry weapons.

Your care team is here to support you. Please tell them if you have any concerns or feedback.

Updated: May 1, 2025