ALL visitors to Albury and Wodonga public hospitals now have to wear masks.
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Albury Wodonga Health announced on Monday it was adopting the move to tighten its approach to COVID-19.
Visitors will receive a surgical mask after negotiating screening measures, that include a temperature check.
The health service's executive director of pandemic response Sally Squire said much of the staff had already been using masks and their extension to visitors was in line with advice from the Department of Health and Human Services.
"This is another proactive step we're taking to keep our community and staff safe and we appreciate everybody's co-operation and understanding," Mrs Squire said..
"For people with breathing difficulties or other medical reasons that cannot wear a face mask, they will be provided with a face shield as applicable.
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"Single use surgical face masks will be distributed as part of the visitor screening process that is required to enter AWH facilities."
Visitors will not be allowed to wear their own masks from home and bins will be set up to collect the mouth covers as guests leave the hospitals.
Under guidelines posted by Albury Wodonga Health, masks will need to be replaced if they become damaged, wet or contaminated.
People should not touch the front of their masks and they should be replaced if worn for over four hours.
It is also expected visitors will use liquid soap before and after their use of a mask.
Public hospitals at Wangaratta and Yarrawonga also have the same mask requirement in line with the Victorian health department.
Meanwhile, mobile coronavirus testing units will be operating at Howlong, Khancoban and Tumbarumba on Tuesday and Finley on Wednesday.
