Tauranga and Whakatāne hospital staff are asking visitors to wear masks and follow other public health requirements to keep patients safe from Covid-19 and the flu.
They are also asking people to avoid visiting friends and whānau in the hospitals if they are sick with an infection that can be transmitted to others.
The number of people with Covid-19 and the flu has been creeping up in recent weeks, with the two local hospitals caring for 22 patients with Covid-19 as of Monday.
Chief Operating Officer Bronwyn Anstis said there have been several instances at local hospitals recently in which visitors have infected patients and staff with Covid-19.
"There is the potential for some people visiting their loved ones to be carrying Covid-19 or the flu without showing any symptoms.