Four days after the Greene County supervisors approved a mask mandate for Greene County, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds did the same for the entire state.
In a statement timed to open most local television news programs, Reynolds outlined new mitigation efforts that go into effect tomorrow, Tuesday, at 12:01 am. She described the efforts as being “targeted toward activities and environments where they have the potential to make a significant impact in a short amount of time.”
She justified the new steps by noting that in the past two weeks, there have been 52,000 new cases of Covid-19 in the state. That’s the same number of cases in the state from March to mid-August. “For many Covid-19 has been relatively mild, some having no symptoms at all,” Reynolds said. “I’m grateful for that… but I’m afraid these mild cases have created a mindset where Iowans have become complacent. We’ve lost sight of why it was so important to flatten the curve.”
According to Reynolds, 5 percent of those with Covid require hospitalization, and that has pushed the healthcare system “to the brink.” New hospitalizations have topped 200 per day, she said, which “is not sustainable.”
With the new mitigation steps, all persons in an indoor, public space, or in a state office building, must wear a mask when they are within 6 feet of one another for 15 minutes or longer. The mandate applies to all persons older than 2 years.
Social, community, business or leisure gatherings are limited to no more than 15 persons if they’re indoors or 30 persons if they’re outdoors. The restrictions apply to wedding receptions, family gatherings, conventions, and other nonessential gatherings.
Additionally, all youth and adult group sporting and recreational gatherings of any size are prohibited. That includes dancing, gymnastics, wrestling, organized basketball games, group fitness classes and more.
High school-sponsored sporting and extracurricular events, including practices, games, competitions and performances are allowed, but there may be no more than two spectators per athlete/performer. All spectators older than 2 must wear a mask, and there must be at least six feet of physical distance between each group.
The mandate excludes spiritual and religious gatherings, including weddings and funerals.
All bars and restaurants must close by 10 pm, and all customers must wear a face mask or face covering when they aren’t seated. Staff that has contact with patrons must also wear a mask.
Additionally, each hospital must reduce its inpatient, nonessential surgeries to a level that uses at least 50 percent fewer beds than were used in September.
The mandates are in effect until Thursday, Dec. 10, at 11:59 pm. Reynolds said she will re-evaluate after one week and perhaps put more mitigation steps in place.
In closing, Reynolds said, “This isn’t about mandates. It isn’t about government. There isn’t enough law enforcement in the country to make sure every Iowan is wearing a mask when they should…. If Iowans don’t buy into this, we lose. Businesses will close once again. More schools will be forced to go online, and our healthcare system will fail. The cost of human life will be high. Now is the time to come together for the greater good, to look out for each other, not because you’re told to, but because it’s the right thing to do.”
Click here for a summary of the enhanced public health measures.
Click here for the entire proclamation.
