SALISBURY — Novant Health, which operates Rowan Medical Center, has now limited almost all visitors to its acute care facilities.

Except for laboring mothers and minors, no visitors will be permitted, Novant Health said in a news release. Laboring mothers will be allowed one partner and one “birth support person.” Minors under 18 may have one visitor who is a parent or guardian.

Visitors in those cases must be health (no cough, fever or flu-like symptoms) and at least 13 or older, unless seeking medical care.

In end-of-life care, special exceptions may be granted, Novant Health said in a news release.

“This is another proactive step Novant Health is taking to care for patients during the novel coronavirus outbreak as it anticipates seeing more presumptive positive COVID-19 cases in the community,” the company said in its news release. “Novant Health will continue to limit entrances and exits to the acute care facilities to centralize the foot traffic of patients, visitors and team members coming in and out. … This is a rapidly evolving situation and Novant Health will take additional steps to help control the spread of the virus as necessary.”

The health care system stressed that the restrictions do not apply to people who are seeking medical care.

The restrictions started today.