Governor further lifts COVID-19 restrictions

     On Wednesday, June 10, Gov. Kim Reynolds extended her COVID-19 public health proclamation until June 25. She also further eased restrictions placed on businesses statewide, beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 12.

     Restaurants and bars can open to full capacity, but only if they comply with social distancing and public health measures to reduce the spread of the virus. This also pertains to: wedding reception venues, wineries, breweries, distilleries, country clubs, and social/fraternal clubs.

     Fitness centers, health clubs, health spas, and gyms can also open to full capacity as long as they abide by the same public health measures. However, group activities, such as group fitness classes, must be limited in number to maintain 6 feet of social distancing between participants.

     Other categories of businesses that can re-open fully include:

     • Casinos and gaming facilities

     • Salons and barbershops

     • Theaters and performance venues

     • Museums

     • Libraries

     • Playgrounds

     • Swimming pools

     • BINGO halls and bowling allies

     • Campgrounds

     • Tanning facilities

     • Massage therapy establishments

     • Any retail establishment

     A new category Reynolds added to the list in terms of re-opening are senior citizen centers and adult daycare facilities. They can open up again, first time since mid-March, so long as they follow the Iowa Department of Public Health guidelines to ensure social distancing, increased hygiene practices, and other public health measures.

     The governor is also now allowing mass gatherings of more than 10 people, as long as they comply with her public health proclamation. These include social, community, recreational, leisure, or sporting gathering; parades; festivals; farmers markets; auctions; conventions; or fundraisers.