Citing high numbers of Covid-19 cases among persons ages 19-23, and the risk they pose to the workforce, Gov Kim Reynolds on Thursday issued a new public health disaster emergency proclamation closing bars in the counties in which Regents universities and the state’s largest community colleges are located.
All bars, taverns, breweries, distilleries, and night clubs in Black Hawk, Dallas, Johnson, Linn, Polk and Story counties are closed effective at 5 pm Aug. 27. They may continue to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption off premises.
Restaurants in those counties may remain open, but they must stop selling and serving alcoholic beverages at 10 pm.
The closure is in effect through Sept. 20.
The proclamation also “strongly encourages” all Iowans age 2 and older to wear a mask or other face covering when in public settings, particularly when it’s not possible to remain at least 6 feet away from others not in their household.
