Butler Health System is restricting visitation at Butler Memorial Hospital due to the novel coronavirus 2019 pandemic.

Restrictions take effect at 8 p.m. Monday, unless a confirmed case of COVID-19 appears anywhere in Butler County or the surrounding area before then, in which case the policy would go into effect immediately.

According to an announcement, Butler Memorial Hospital will continue operating normally, including inpatient and outpatient services. However, starting Monday, BHS will not allow visitors at the hospital. Some exceptions will include:

Surgery: Because surgical patients require a driver, one person may accompany any patient having an outpatient surgical procedure. This person will be directed into a specific waiting area in the hospital and may stay until briefed by the surgeon after completion of the case.

Emergency Department: If you are with a patient seeking emergency care, the hospital will obtain your phone number and call you when the patient's visit is complete. You may wait in a hospital parking lot or at an off-site location of your choice.

Outpatient: One person may accompany a patient receiving outpatient care if that person is necessary for the patient to be assisted and receive care safely.

Maternity: Mothers having a baby may be accompanied by one person.

End of Life Care: Visitors may be permitted.

Visitors for whom an exception applies will be stopped at the hospital entrance, screened for COVID-19 symptoms, given an identification badge and directed to the permitted area of the hospital.

BHS said in a statement released late Friday afternoon that the COVID-19 pandemic is best handled through limiting exposure for everyone and preventing transmission of the disease.

The restrictions are in place to protect patients, hospital staff and the community.

A BHS official confirmed that a parent, guardian or medical proxy would also be considered an exemption in cases involving children or adults who are incapable of making their own decisions. They will still need to be vetted like others who are exempt from the policy.