UW Health, UnityPoint Health–Meriter to encourage masks  

UW Health and UnityPoint Health–Meriter announced in a press release today that masks will now be encouraged, rather than required, at many clinics and some areas within hospitals. However, they will still be required in certain areas deemed to be high-risk based on the patient population served. 

Cancer, transplant, and intensive care units, as well as areas in which patients have compromised immune systems, will still require masks. Hospital settings where patient-clinician interactions take place will also require masks.  

At places like primary care clinics and many other outpatient care locations, masks will be encouraged but not required for patients, visitors, providers, and staff. This will extend to a few places in hospitals and inpatient locations, including entrances, registration desks, and cafeterias, as well as hallways at Meriter locations. 

Patients are encouraged to review patient and visitor guidelines online.