Gov Reynolds Announces Mask Mandate, Bar Closing Time

In a state wide address Monday evening, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds laid out new restrictions due to the rising numbers of Covid-19 cases, hospitalization rate and deaths in the state.

The new restrictions take place tonight (11/16) at midnight and will last until at least December 10th.  These new restrictions include:

• Masks are required to be worn by all people over the age of 2 in any indoor space when they are within 6 ft of people that are not members of their household.
• Restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, arcades, pool halls, bingo halls, and indoor playgrounds are required to close at 10 p.m. and cannot host private gatherings of more than 15 people. Masks must be worn by staff who have direct contact with customers, and customers must wear masks when they are not seated at their table to eat or drink. The proclamation also requires masks inside casinos.
• Indoor gatherings are limited to 15 people.
• Outdoor gatherings are limited to 30 people.
• All sports, excluding high school, college and pro are suspended.  Spectators are limited to 2 per student.

You can read the full list of new mandates here.

Governor Reynolds told the state that "Right now the pandemic is the worst it has ever been in Iowa."  There have been as many cases in the last 2 1/2 months as there have been from March-August.

Governor Reynolds went on to say that "Iowans have become complacent with the virus".  With 1 in every 4 hospital patients having the virus, the situation in hospitals is at a breaking point.

Kim Reynolds talked to Iowans asking them to follow the guidelines not only as the Governor, but asked for help as a "daughter, mother and grandmother".

Read the full release from the state here.