NE Iowa News

As the COVID-19 situation is beginning to level off, Iowa is working toward reopening. 

According to WCF Courier, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) is allowing a number of businesses and venues to reopen including malls, restaurants, fitness centers, libraries and retail stores in 77 of the state’s 99 counties.

While these businesses will be allowed to resume operations, it will not be business as usual for some time as they are only permitted to run at 50% capacity, in addition to continuing in social distancing practices. Buffets and children’s play areas are banned for the time being and restaurant seating is limited to six. 

The governor has said that current restrictions must continue to be in place through May 15 in the following counties: Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Dallas, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fayette, Henry, Iowa, Jasper, Johnson, Linn, Louisa, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Tama, Washington and Woodbury.

Throughout the state, a number of types of businesses must stay closed, including theaters, casinos, barbershops, salons, playgrounds, swimming pools and museums through May 15. 

In the counties that are permitted to reopen, 14 of the counties had no confirmed cases as of April 28 and the remaining 63 counties had a decline over the past two weeks. 

Religious and spiritual gatherings are allowed to resume statewide and Reynolds said that community events that are not of religious types are still being limited to 10 people or less. 

While there have been critics of Reynolds’ plan to reopen, the governor said that she had already moved to make decisions and implement changes to help protect the state’s residents. 

“We can protect lives and secure livelihoods at the same time,” she said.

While there are parts of the state reopening, Reynolds is encouraging individuals in the risk groups to stay home and stay away from crowded venues.