Glens Falls Hospital is requiring staff, patients and visitors to wear a mask because of an increase in COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

The requirement also applies to off-site locations run by Glens Falls Hospital, according to an announcement on the organization’s Facebook page.

Visiting hours and visitation requirements have not changed, but visitors are asked to avoid eating and drinking while visiting to avoid spreading illness.

Hospital officials anticipate this will be a temporary requirement and they will reevaluate the situation in early January.