Governor continues to reopen Iowa. More sanctions lifted May 22

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DES MOINES – On May 20, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the Public Health Disaster Emergency. The proclamation permits summer school activities, including baseball and softball, to resume on June 1. And effective Friday, May 22, movie theaters, zoos, aquariums, museums and wedding reception venues will be permitted to reopen with appropriate public health measures in place. Swimming pools will also be permitted to reopen for lap swimming and swimming lessons.

Governor Reynolds also announced that Thursday, May 28, bars and other alcohol-related establishments that have been limited to carryout and delivery will be permitted to reopen for indoor or outdoor seating. These establishments will follow the same public health measures that restaurants have been implementing for the past several weeks.

The proclamation also provides additional regulatory relief to those affected by this disaster and continues to strongly encourages all vulnerable Iowans, including those with preexisting medical conditions and those older than 65, in all counties of the state to continue to limit their activities outside of their home, including their visits to businesses and other establishments and their participation in gatherings of any size and any purpose.

Reopening of businesses

  1. Movie Theaters: Any theater at which motion pictures are shown may reopen, but only to the extent that the theater complies with the following requirements:

(1) Capacity limited: The theater must limit the number of patrons present in any individual theater to 50 percent of its normal operating capacity to ensure adequate spacing of groups.

(2) Social distancing: The theater must ensure at least six feet of physical distance between each group or individual attending alone when seated in the theater.

(3) Self-service prohibited: The theater must not have any self-service of food or beverages.

(4) Other social distancing, hygiene, and public health measures: The theater shall also implement reasonable measures under the circumstances of each theater to ensure social distancing of employees and customers, increased hygiene practices, and other public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 consistent with guidance issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health and, for any food service, the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals.

All other theaters and performance venues at which live performances are held shall continue to be closed.

  1. Museums, aquariums, and zoos: A museum, aquarium or zoo may reopen, but only to the extent that the establishment takes reasonable measures under the circumstances of each establishment to ensure social distancing of employees and patrons, increased hygiene practices, and other public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 consistent with Guidance issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health.
  2. Swimming pools: A swimming pool, as defined in Iowa Code § 135I.1 may reopen for the limited purpose of lap swimming and conducting swimming lessons, but only to the extent that the establishment operating the pool takes reasonable measures under the circumstances of each establishment to ensure social distancing of employees and patrons, increased hygiene practices, and other public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 consistent with guidance issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health. Except for these limited purposes, all swimming pools and spas, wading pools, water slides, wave pools, spray pads and bath houses, as defined in Iowa Code § 135I.1, shall continue to be closed.

Summer school activities

Pursuant to Iowa Code § 135.144(13), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Department of Education, unless otherwise modified by subsequent proclamation, a public school or nonpublic school, as defined in Iowa Code § 280.2, may reopen for school-sponsored activities and learning effective June 1, 2020, but only to the extent that such activities and learning are consistent with guidance of the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa High School Athletic Association, and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, as applicable. Any such school-sponsored activity that is conducted consistent with this guidance shall not be a violation of the prohibition on social, community, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings and events of more than 10 people under section 5 of the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued on May 13, 2020.

Wedding receptions

Pursuant to Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, unless otherwise modified by subsequent proclamation or order of the Iowa Department of Public Health, effective 5 a.m. on May 22, and until 11:59 p.m. on May 27, a wedding reception may be held provided that the establishment hosting the wedding reception complies with all the requirements of a restaurant under section 2, paragraph A, of the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued on May 13, 2020. Such a reception that is hosted in compliance with those requirements shall not be a violation of the prohibition on social, community, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings and events of more than 10 people under section 5 of that Proclamation of Disaster of Emergency.

Auctions

Pursuant to Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, unless otherwise modified by subsequent proclamation or order of the Iowa Department of Public Health, effective at 5 a.m. on May 22, any auctions may operate, so long as there are no more than 25 people present in person. Auctions with more than 25 people present in person may operate only if they are conducted outdoors and the auction organizer takes measures to ensure that each group or individual attending alone maintains at least six feet of physical distance. All other auctions continue to be prohibited until 11:59 p.m. on May 27, at all locations and venues.

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