There will be no Memorial Day commemorations at cemeteries across Iowa this year. Gov Kim Reynolds announced Wednesday that hair and nail salons, barbershops, campgrounds, and libraries across the state may reopen Friday at 5 am. Businesses in the 22 counties where COVID-19 restrictions were not relaxed May 1 will also be able to open on the same 50 percent capacity restrictions now in place in 77 counties.
However, Reynolds’ new proclamation extends through May 27 the prohibition against “social, community, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings and events of more than 10 people.” The proclamation specifically includes festivals, conventions and fundraisers. Memorial Day is May 25.
Casinos, movie theatres, museums, playgrounds, bowling alleys, amusement parks, museums, zoos and skating rinks will remain closed.
Gatherings of people inside parked cars, trucks or other enclosed vehicles will not constitute a gathering of more than 10 people if no more than 10 are inside each vehicle and if all people remain inside their vehicles at all times, according to the proclamation.
Salons and barbershops must operate on an appointment-only basis. No clients will be allowed to wait on the premises.
Reynolds said during the Q & A that no decisions have been made about the high school baseball and softball seasons.
Reynolds still urges vulnerable Iowans, including those with preexisting medical conditions and those older than 65, in all counties to continue to limit their activities outside of their home, including visits to businesses, and to limit participation in gatherings of any size and purpose.
Easing the restrictions is possible because the state has now completed planning through the Regional Medical Coordination Centers, and the state has increased testing and can target responses to increases coronavirus activity, Reynolds said at her press briefing.
She said numbers are trending downward.
The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 377 new positive cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, and 17 deaths. Iowa has seen a total of 13,289 confirmed cases and 306 deaths.
The case count in Greene County remains at 13.
