DES MOINES – On May 13, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the Public Health Disaster Emergency. The proclamation permits salons, barbershops, and massage and tattoo establishments to reopen throughout Iowa in a limited fashion with appropriate public health measures in place. It also permits restaurants (but not bars), fitness centers, libraries and racetracks to reopen in the 22 counties where they have remained closed. These changes are effective at 5 a.m. on Friday, May 15.
The proclamation continues the other ongoing closures and public health measures, including the prohibition on social, community, recreational, leisure and sporting gatherings and events of more than 10 people, until 11:59 p.m. on May 27.
It also 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
and establishments
A. Restaurants: A restaurant may reopen or remain open to serve food and beverages on its premises, but only to the extent that it complies with the following requirements:
(1) Capacity limited: The restaurant must limit the number of customers present at indoor or outdoor spaces to 50% of its normal operating capacity to ensure adequate spacing of groups.
(2) Groups limited: The restaurant must limit party size seated together to no more than six people.
(3) Social distancing: The restaurant must ensure at least six feet of physical distance between each group or individual dining alone.
(4) Self-service prohibited: The restaurant must not have any self-service of food or beverages, including buffets or salad bars.
(5) Other social distancing, hygiene, and public health measures: The restaurant shall also implement reasonable measures under the circumstances of each restaurant 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 Inspections and Appeals and the Iowa Department of Public Health.
This paragraph does not reopen a bar, which must remain closed to the public except as provided in section 2, paragraph A of this Proclamation.
B. Fitness centers: A fitness center, health club, health spa, or gym may reopen or remain open, but only to the extent that it complies with the following requirements:
(1) Capacity limited: The establishment must limit the number of customers present to 50 percent of its maximum legal occupancy capacity.
(2) Social distancing: The establishment must ensure that all equipment, such as treadmills, bikes, weight machines, benches, and power racks, are spaced at least six feet apart or take other appropriate measures to ensure that more closely spaced equipment is not used.
(3) Group activities: Any group activities or classes must be limited to ten or fewer people and all people participating must maintain a distance of six feet apart at all times.
(4) Other social distancing, hygiene, and public health measures: The establishment shall also implement reasonable measures under the circumstances of each establishment 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.
C. Malls: An enclosed mall may reopen or remain open, but only to the extent that it complies with the following requirements:
(1) Capacity limited: The mall must limit the number of customers present to 50 percent of its maximum legal occupancy capacity.
(2) Common seating areas: All common seating areas, such as food courts, shall remain closed. Restaurants in food courts may operate on a carry-out basis.
(3) Play areas: Any play area or playground must remain closed.
(4) Social distancing, hygiene, and public health measures: The mall shall also implement reasonable measures under the circumstances of each mall 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.
D. Other retail establishments: A retail establishment that was previously ordered to be closed statewide and then only in certain counties under section 5, paragraph I, of the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued on April 27, 2020 , may reopen or remain open, but only to the extent that it limits the number of customers present to 50 percent of its maximum legal occupancy capacity and implements reasonable measures under the circumstances of each establishment 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.
E. Salons: A salon, including any establishment providing the services of cosmetology, electrology, esthetics, nail technology, manicuring, and pedicuring, all as defined in Iowa Code § 157.1, may reopen, but only to the extent that it complies with the following requirements:
(1) Capacity limited: The salon must limit the number of customers present to 50 percent of its maximum legal occupancy capacity.
(2) Appointment only: The salon must operate on an appointment basis to ensure that the public is not gathering in a waiting area.
(3) Social distancing: The salon must ensure that all customers are at least six feet apart when performing cosmetology practices.
(4) Other social distancing, hygiene, and public health measures: The salon shall also implement reasonable measures under the circumstances of each salon 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.
F. Barbershop: A barbershop, as defined in Iowa Code § 158.1, may reopen, but only to the extent that it complies with the following requirements:
(1) Capacity limited: The barbershop must limit the number of customers present to 50 percent of its maximum legal occupancy capacity.
(2) Appointment only: The barbershop must operate on an appointment basis to ensure that the public is not gathering in a waiting area.
(3) Social distancing: The barbershop must ensure that all customers are at least six feet apart when performing barbering services.
(4) Other social distancing, hygiene, and public health measures: The barbershop shall also implement reasonable measures under the circumstances of each barbershop 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.
G. Medical spas: A medical spa, as defined in Iowa Admin Code § 653-13.8(1), may reopen or remain open to provide medical aesthetic services, but only if the medical spa complies with the requirements for performing outpatient procedures that utilize PPE in section 8, paragraph A, of this Proclamation.
H. Tanning facilities: A tanning facility, as defined by Iowa Code § 136D.2(5), may reopen or remain open, but only to the extent that the facility takes reasonable measures under the circumstances of each facility 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.
I. Massage therapy establishments: An establishment where an individual is practicing massage therapy as defined by Iowa Code § 152C.1(3) 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.
J. Tattoo establishments: A tattoo establishment, as regulated by Iowa Code § 135.37, 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.
K. Campgrounds: Any public or private campground may reopen or remain open, provided that the campground implements reasonable measures under the circumstances of each campground to ensure social distancing, 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.
L. Racetracks: A speedway or race track, including a track conducting horse or dog races, may reopen or continue its operations provided that it does not permit any spectators to attend its events in person.
M. Libraries: A library may reopen or remain open provided that it limits the number of patrons present to 50 percent of its maximum legal occupancy capacity and implements reasonable measures under the circumstances of each library 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.
N. Drive-in theaters: A drive-in movie theater may reopen, but only to the extent that the theater ensures that all cars are parked at least six feet apart and takes other reasonable measures under the circumstances of each theater 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.
O. Social and fraternal clubs: All social and fraternal clubs, including but not limited to American Legion or VFW posts, Elks Clubs, country clubs, and golf course clubhouses may reopen or remain open to the minimal extent necessary to conduct a regular business meeting of no more than ten people; to facilitate use of the golf course provided appropriate social distancing practices are implemented; and to serve food and beverages on its premises, but only to the extent that it complies with the following requirements:
(1) Protection of vulnerable Iowans: The club should make reasonable efforts to encourage vulnerable Iowans, including those with preexisting medical conditions and those older than 65, to limit their attendance and in-person interactions at the club.
(2) Capacity limited: The club must limit the number of customers present at indoor or outdoor spaces to 50 percent of its normal operating capacity to ensure adequate spacing of groups.
(3) Groups limited: The club must limit the party size seated together to no more than six people.
(4) Social distancing: The club must ensure at least six feet of physical distance between each group or individual dining alone.
(5) Self-service prohibited: The club must not have any self-service of food or beverages, including buffets or salad bars.
(6) Other social distancing, hygiene, and public health measures: The club shall also implement reasonable measures under the circumstances of each club 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 Inspections and Appeals and the Iowa Department of Public Health.
(7) Food Service Required: If the club serves alcoholic beverages and the service of food is merely incidental to the consumption of beverages and is limited to the service of ice, snack foods and the reheating of commercially prepared foods such as frozen pizza, pre-packaged sandwiches, or other prepackaged, ready-to-serve products, the club shall continue to be closed to the public except that to the extent permitted by applicable law as modified by the suspensions in this Proclamation, and in accordance with any recommendations of the Iowa Department of Public Health, food and beverages may be sold if such food or beverages are promptly taken from the premises, such as on a carry-out or drive-through basis, or if the food or beverage is delivered to customers off the premises.
Extensions of closures and orders
A. Bars: A bar shall continue to be closed to the general public except that to the extent permitted by applicable law as modified by the suspensions in this Proclamation, and in accordance with any recommendations of the Iowa Department of Public Health, food and beverages may be sold if such food or beverages are promptly taken from the premises, such as on a carry-out or drive-through basis, or if the food or beverage is delivered to customers off the premises. For the purposes of this section, a bar is an establishment where a customer may purchase alcoholic beverages and in which the serving of food in incidental to the consumption of those beverages and is limited to the service of ice, snack foods and the reheating of commercially prepared foods such as frozen pizza, pre-packaged sandwiches, or other prepackaged, ready-to-serve products.
B. Theaters: All theaters or other performance venues at which live performances or motion pictures are shown, except for drive-in theaters, shall continue to be closed.
C. Casinos and gaming facilities: All casinos and other facilities conducting pari-mutuel wagering or gaming operations shall continue to be closed, except that a race track conducting pari-mutuel wagering may reopen provided that it does not permit any spectators to attend its events in person.
D. Senior citizen centers and adult daycare facilities: All facilities that conduct adult day services or other senior citizen centers shall continue to be closed.
E. Amusements: All bingo halls, bowling alleys, pool halls, arcades, and amusement parks shall continue to be closed.
F. Museums, aquariums, and zoos: All museums, aquariums, and zoos shall continue to be closed.
G. Skating rinks and skate parks: All indoor or outdoor roller or ice skating rinks and skate parks shall continue to be closed.
H. Playgrounds: All outdoor or indoor playgrounds or children’s play centers shall continue to be closed. This order does not apply to playgrounds in private residences or childcare facilities.
I. Swimming pools: 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.
J. Door-to-door sales: All unsolicited door-to-door sales and solicitations at all homes and residences shall continue to be prohibited.