Coronavirus (COVID-19) Precautions

Last updated October 1, 2024

Safety and Visitation

MD Anderson continues to monitor COVID-19 cases in our community and may change our processes to ensure they best protect our patients, their families and our workforce.

Before your visit, review our current safety and visitation rules below.

• Patients should contact their care team before they arrive if they have fever, cough, shortness of breath or have had a positive COVID-19 test in the last 14 days. The care team can determine if appointments should be rescheduled until after the 14 days isolation period. Rescheduling is not required.
• Masking is an important way to reduce the spread of infection and protect patients who have weakened immune systems. This is especially important during months when respiratory viruses are common. Everyone, including patients and their visitors, must wear MD Anderson-issued face masks in clinical areas, including waiting rooms and during check-in. You can expect your care team members to wear masks while providing care. Masks are optional in public areas and dining areas.
• All visitors and overnight caregivers should stay home if they have respiratory symptoms or feel unwell. 

Read more about patient visitation and know what to expect before you arrive. If you have questions about our visitor policy, contact Patient Advocacy.

What to expect when you arrive

Masks are required in clinical areas. You can expect your care team members to wear masks while providing care. When you arrive, MD Anderson team members will offer you a face mask and ask you to sanitize your hands. Our team is available to answer questions, clarify patient visitation and help you find your way.

Patients and visitors may enter at the following locations on our Texas Medical Center campus:

• Main Building, The Pavilion valet entrance
• Main Building, The Aquarium valet entrance
• Main Building, Garage 10, Floor 3 skybridge
• Mays Clinic, East Lobby valet entrance
• Faculty Center, Floor 3, near Garage 17 entrance

Download the MD Anderson Directions app to find your way to your appointments.

COVID-19 Testing

Patients who have symptoms should reach out to their care teams in MyChart.

If you choose to be tested outside of MD Anderson, remember to send the results to your care team. You can take a picture of your results and send them in a MyChart message or fax them. The photo must include:

• Patient’s name
• Date
• Type of test (PCR or NAAT)
• Method used (nasal or nasopharyngeal swab)
• Test result

Your care team will review the results to make sure they meet criteria.