Visiting hours and policies

Parent, caregiver and visitor presence policies

Please review the following information before arriving at CHEO.

Parents and caregivers are important members of the care team. They actively work with us to provide vital health information only they know and give emotional support in the way only a parent or caregiver can.

For infection prevention and safety reasons, we have limits on how many parents, caregivers and visitors can be onsite at one time. We also limit the number at the bedside.

We appreciate your patience and understanding in keeping everyone safe, particularly during the peak viral season.

Allowed number of parents, caregivers and visitors

Last updated: March 2026

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours are from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm every day including weekends and holidays for Visitors.
Note: Mental Health Units, PICU and NICU may have special visiting arrangements due to clinical implications which nursing staff will explain.

Clinic and Surgical Day Unit appointments

TWO parents or caregivers are allowed to accompany children and youth while at CHEO for clinic and Surgical Day Unit appointments.

Emergency Department visits

ONE parent or caregiver is permitted to accompany children and youth while at CHEO's Emergency Department.

Staying at the hospital (admitted to CHEO's inpatient units)

A maximum of TWO parents or caregivers are permitted at the bedside at a time.
Only ONE caregiver of immediate family can stay overnight.

Visitors

During non-peak viral season, visitors are permitted with a maximum of TWO at the bedside.

Exceptions to these rules

We recognize that some families (e.g., people with disabilities) require additional support to help the patients, parents or caregivers. If you are coming to Emergency, please discuss your need for an exception upon arrival at CHEO Emergency. If you are staying as an inpatient, please discuss this with your care team.

Parent/caregiver presence at CHEO

When parents and caregivers come with their child or youth to CHEO, they arrive not as visitors, but as part of our team. They are actively working with us as part of their child’s care team, providing vital health information only they would know and giving emotional support in a way only a parent or caregiver can.

To help keep everyone safe and minimize the chance of transmission of infections, anyone who comes to CHEO, including caregivers and visitors, is screened before entering, and will not be allowed to enter if they are sick. All children, youth and caregivers must enter through the main entrance for clinic visits, or the Emergency Department in urgent cases. Other entrances are closed.

Who is a caregiver or visitor?

When parents and caregivers come with their child or youth to CHEO, they arrive not as visitors, but as part of our team. They are actively working with us as part of their child’s care team, providing vital health information only they would know and giving emotional support in a way only a parent or caregiver can.

To help keep everyone safe and minimize the chance of transmission of infections, anyone who comes to CHEO, including caregivers and visitors, is screened before entering, and will not be allowed to enter if they are sick. All children, youth and caregivers must enter through the main entrance for clinic visits, or the Emergency Department in urgent cases. Other entrances are closed.

Who is a caregiver?

A caregiver is someone who is over 12 years old and helps a child or youth with their daily living activities—e.g. parent, grandparent, older sibling, legal guardian, etc. A caregiver can be designated by the patient. A caregiver is never considered a visitor because they are a vital part of the care team.

Who is a visitor?

A visitor is someone who is part of a child or youth’s family or support network—e.g. sibling, extended family member, friend, etc.—but not a designated caregiver.

While you are at CHEO

Common areas

We need to reduce the risk of spreading of all viruses as much as possible. Here’s how you can prevent the infection from spreading to others:

Avoid spending time in public spaces such as the cafeteria, coffee shop, or pharmacy — please ask your care team how you can get what you need while staying with your child.
- Tip: ask your care team for the latest CHEO room service menu so you don't have to go to the cafeteria or coffee shop, or order room service directly to the bedside through the CBORD® Patient™ app.
Please organize transportation so that you do not wait in the lobby.

Gloves

Please do not wear gloves. The best way for you to keep your hands clean is by washing them regularly using soap and water or hand sanitizer.

Masks

Visit our Infection Prevention and Control at CHEO page for latest information on when and where to wear a mask at CHEO.

If you develop symptoms while staying with your child:

Stay in your child’s room — it is very important for you to not leave your room, so you don’t pass something on to another child at CHEO.
Inform your child’s nurse.

What else is CHEO doing to screen and protect patients?

CHEO is screening everyone who enters our building including patients, caregivers, staff, medical staff, volunteers and learners.
Based on the results of your screen you may be placed on additional precautions and evaluated to determine if further testing is needed. A bracelet will be given to indicate that you have been screened and assist the screening team in knowing what safety measures are required for your visit.
Our Infection Prevention and Control team is in close contact with Ottawa Public Health and other agencies to help guide decision-making and receive updates on viral activity in the community.
We require all staff, volunteers, vendors, contractors, and visitors to be vaccinated against COVID-19 if they are coming to CHEO.

Questions or concerns?

Thank you for your help in keeping all of our children, youth, families, and staff safe. We know it’s not easy, and we appreciate your help. Please direct any questions you may have to your child's health-care team.