Subscribe to News 
Back to SearchParents are not visitors and are always welcome by their child’s side
OTTAWA, ON — CHEO has two distinct COVID-19 pandemic policies to keep everyone in our care safe: a parent/caregiver policy and a separate visitor policy. Both policies are essential because 71% of the children in our care are under age 12 and not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.
Visitors must be fully vaccinated, or they cannot enter CHEO at any of its locations.
Parents are not visitors. We will never separate children from their parents or caregivers, as they are important members of their child’s care team. If a parent or caregiver is unvaccinated, they can still enter CHEO.
Everyone who comes to CHEO is asked about their vaccination status, as part of the entrance screening at our main building at 401 Smyth Road. Once cleared by the screeners, those going to an in-and-out appointment will receive a paper pass, and those going to an inpatient area will receive a bracelet. The purpose of the paper pass or the bracelet is to allow people who have been screened to exit and re-enter the building without repeating the entrance screening.
If a parent is unvaccinated, they will be escorted while onsite and have limited access to common areas where unvaccinated, young children are present. This is part of our commitment to keep children safe.
If anyone refuses to share their vaccine status, we must assume that person is unvaccinated. So, if they are a visitor, they cannot enter CHEO. If they are a parent or caregiver, the above rules apply.
This is the entrance screen that all visitors and parents or caregivers must complete upon arrival to CHEO at any of its locations. You can save time by completing the questionnaire prior to your arrival and by having your proof of vaccination ready to share. Our entrance screen is just one of many safety measures in place, including physical distancing and universal masking.
Please be kind to our staff and medical staff, whose top priority is protecting the young children in our care who are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
– 30 –
Media contact
media@cheo.on.ca
About CHEO
Based in Canada’s capital, CHEO is a globally renowned health institution with a mission to provide exceptional care and support to children, youth and their families. Opening our doors in 1974, we offer a full range of specialized pediatric care and services to children from eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec and Nunavut. Our site is home to a hospital, a children’s treatment centre, a school, a research institute, and is affiliated with the University of Ottawa as an academic health science centre. Named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024 and 2025, we are home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives.