MercyOne Implementing Revised Visitor Restrictions

COVID-19 cases in the state of Iowa continue to be a source of concern for many. Numerous summer events have been scrapped as a result, and terms like 'social distancing' are now commonplace. One element of life that changed when the pandemic began is hospital/senior care center visitation rules.

Now, as restrictions begin to ease, MercyOne Northeast Iowa has updated its visitation restrictions. In a press release sent to this station, MercyOne states it will be allowing visitors with the following updates:

• One healthy visitor (18 or older) per patient per day that passes screening. This includes hospital patients, or a caregiver/loved one during any other type of appointment such as a surgery, test, procedure, etc. Patients will be provided with specific information when scheduling or can call their provider office for details for the various areas.
• Pediatric patients, including inpatient, outpatient clinic visits and NICU, are allowed both parents if necessary.
• Any visitor entering the building will be required to sanitize hands upon entry, have temperature checked, answer health questions and wear a mask (either their own cloth mask or a surgical mask provided).

However, no visitors will be allowed in the following units:

• Waterloo Inpatient Behavioral Health Care and Horizons
• Cedar Falls Senior Behavioral Health Care
• Oelwein Senior Care