BREAKING: Iowa Gov. Reynolds Extends Covid Mitigation As Numbers Rise

BREAKING NEWS: As Iowa covid numbers rise, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued new, modified mitigation efforts Thursday evening.

Kim Reynolds

Reynolds’ new measures will be in effect through at least Feb. 6 and requires people to wear masks inside public places when unable to social distance. The rules are predominantly geared towards bars and restaurants, which have been shown to have a higher likelihood of spreading the virus.

However, Reynolds did somewhat ease restrictions surrounding sports and recreational events for youths and teens.

Starting today, Reynolds said, “A social, community, business or leisure gathering or event, including a wedding and funeral receptions, festivals, conventions, fundraisers and other nonessential gathers and events where people who do not ordinarily live or work together congregate, of more than 10 people may be held, but only if the gathering complies with all other relevant provision in this proclamation.”

In other words, she’s requiring people to still wear masks inside public spaces, and ensure 6 feet of social distancing between spectators. Also, everyone who is not an athlete must wear a mask or face covering.

To read the entire proclamation, click here.

Covid cases are surging again in Iowa, as the state hit its highest numbers in a month, according to data from the Iowa CDC and Coronavirus.Iowa.gov. There were 18, 187 positive cases in the state on Jan. 7, the highest number since 19, 148 on Dec. 25.

The Iowa Gathering Restrictions, put into place Nov. 11, are:

Social, community, recreational, or leisure

●If more than 10 people:

○6 feet distancing between groups

○Groups limited to 8 people, with the exception of households larger than 8

○Take other reasonable measures to ensure social distancing, increase hygiene, etc.

●If more than 25 people and indoors, all participants over 2 years old must wear masks except when eating and drinking.

●If more than 100 people and outdoors, all participants over 2 years old must wear masks except when eating and drinking.

●All these restrictions apply to wedding receptions, including distancing, group limitations, and mask requirement if event is sufficiently large

Youth and High School Sports:

●If more than 25 people and indoors, all spectators over 2 years old must wear masks and maintain 6 feet distance from other spectators

●Athletes of any age can be closer than six feet and are not required to wear masks

Restaurants and Bars:

Restaurant or bar, including a wedding reception venue, winery, brewery, distillery, country club, or other social or fraternal club

●Six feet distancing between groups

●Groups limited to 8 people unless larger group is all same household

●Seated when eating or drinking and limit congregating

Personal Service Establishments:

Salons, barbershops, massage therapy establishments, tattoo establishments, and tanning facilities

●Ensure that all customers are six feet apart when performing services

●Mandated to wear masks, except when performing face services

Closer/Prolonged Contact Establishments:

Bowling alleys, pool halls, bingo halls, arcades, indoor playgrounds, children’s play centers

●Ensure that groups and individuals are six feet apart at establishment

●Groups limited to eight people unless larger group is all same household

Remote Working/Other Employer Measures:

All employers shall evaluate whether any more of their employees can feasibly work remotely and to the extent reasonable, shall take steps to enable such employees to work from home. Those remaining open shall take other reasonable precautions.

For more information, further interviews and coverage of covid cases and data in the Quad-Cities, continue to check free local media QuadCities.com.

Sean Leary

Sean Leary is an author, director, artist, musician, producer and entrepreneur who has been writing professionally since debuting at age 11 in the pages of the Comics Buyers Guide. An honors graduate of the University of Southern California masters program, he has written over 50 books including the best-sellers The Arimathean, Every Number is Lucky to Someone and We Are All Characters.

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BREAKING: Iowa Gov. Reynolds Extends Covid Mitigation As Numbers Rise