(Des Moines, Iowa) – MercyOne Hospital in Des Moines has updated its visitor guidelines. The new policy essentially says masking is encouraged, but no longer required. The guidelines say visitors must be 16 years old, with the exception being for patients meeting certain or compassionate care criteria. Visitors must also be free of signs of illness and will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19. The new guidelines went into effect on Oct. 17th.