Providence Limits Hospital Visitors in Eastern Washington
Visiting hours at several Providence hospitals are now 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. amid increased respiratory illnesses.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Children’s Health
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Providence hospitals in eastern Washington implemented visitor restrictions on Friday, covering facilities in Spokane and Stevens counties. Visiting hours at several Providence hospitals are now 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Why it matters
The restrictions were implemented due to increased respiratory illnesses in the area. Pediatric, labor and delivery, and neonatal intensive care units do not have restricted hours, so families with children and new mothers face fewer limits.
Hospital policy data shows visiting hours capped at 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and two visitors per non-isolation inpatient room. Providence Sacred Heart Children's Hospital bars visitors under 12 from inpatient units, including siblings, and the stub does not say how many patients are affected.
The players
Providence
Providence is a large nonprofit health system operating hospitals and clinics across several Western states, including Washington.
Providence Sacred Heart Children's Hospital
Providence Sacred Heart Children's Hospital is a pediatric hospital in Spokane, Washington, operated by the Providence health system.
The details
All visitors must check in at a screening desk to receive a visitor pass and must follow hand-washing, masking and personal protective equipment instructions. The restrictions apply to hospitals in Spokane and Stevens counties.
Timeline
Friday: Visitor restrictions took effect at Providence hospitals.
Spring: Staff will re-evaluate the under-12 visitor restriction at Providence Sacred Heart Children's Hospital.
Seasonal Context
The restrictions echo the visitor limits Washington hospitals adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, now reapplied to a seasonal surge in respiratory illness. Providence's rules follow that same playbook of screening, masking and capped visitor counts.
Families planning hospital visits in Spokane or Stevens counties should expect 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. hours, mandatory check-in at a screening desk, and a limit of two visitors per room. Children under 12, including siblings, cannot visit inpatients at Providence Sacred Heart Children's Hospital.
The takeaway
Check visiting rules before traveling to a Providence hospital in eastern Washington, and plan around the 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. window. Parents of children under 12 should confirm whether a sibling can accompany them.
What happens next
Staff at Providence Sacred Heart Children's Hospital will re-evaluate the under-12 visitor restriction in the spring.
Further reading
For related coverage, see Children's Health in Washington.
More information
Review the Providence visitor policies for Spokane and Stevens counties before planning a hospital visit.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NonStop Local KHQ.
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