Geisinger starts reopening closed clinics, hopes to avoid waiting rooms for safety

(WOLF) — Geisinger says its starting to reopen some of its closed clinics in places where the coronavirus isn't as prevalent.

That's part of the larger plan to safely resume regular services in hospitals and medical centers.

Geisinger says that could be in the next four to six weeks.

It's also looking to stagger its in-person appointments for everyone's safety.

"That's with a goal of being able to bring patients in more slowly so that we don't have patients accumulating in the waiting room," Doctor Gerald Maloney, Chief Medical Officer of Hospital Services said. "We're asking that people don't bring other people into the clinic. We're trying to get people to come directly from their car into the exam room so that there is no waiting."

Maloney says the same goes for hospitals. Chairs will also be cleaned every time someone uses them.