These temporary precautions are necessary to ensure the health and safety of our patients, visitors and teammates.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Jan. 2, 2026 – With the increasing number of cases of flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses across North Carolina, UNC Health’s hospitals will implement temporary visitor restrictions.
The restrictions go into effect on or before 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, for UNC Health hospital campuses across the state. In the Triangle, that includes UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, UNC Health Rex in Raleigh and Holly Springs, UNC Health Chatham in Siler City, and UNC Health Johnston in Clayton and Smithfield. In some other parts of the state, some visitor restrictions went into effect this week.
These temporary precautions are necessary to ensure the health and safety of our patients, visitors and teammates.
UNC health leaders recognize the strain that such restrictions can place on our patients and their loved ones. We strive to balance the need for seasonal visitor restrictions with the importance of allowing family and loved ones to visit patients – a critical part of the healing process.
UNC Health infectious diseases experts will continue to monitor local, regional and statewide data and adjust precautions based on the latest trends. In addition, we urge everyone to use common sense public health measures, including getting vaccinated against the flu, hand hygiene, staying home if you’re sick, and more.
The temporary visitor restrictions include:
- Visitors aged 11 years old and younger will be prohibited from all hospital inpatient areas and all waiting areas.
- Visitors who are older than 11 with respiratory symptoms are prohibited from all inpatient areas and all waiting areas.
- All employees at designated inpatient locations are required to wear a mask while providing direct patient care:
- Masks are strongly encouraged for patients and visitors.
Please visit specific UNC Health hospitals’ websites for more details.
About UNC Health
UNC Health is a state entity and an affiliated enterprise of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of nearly 20 hospitals and more than 900 clinics along with the clinical patient care programs of the UNC School of Medicine (SOM). It exists to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve and to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina SOM. UNC Health provided more than $800 million in Uncompensated Charity Care during the past five years. Our hospitals have received numerous awards and recognition for quality care, patient safety, and the overall patient experience.