DES MOINES – On June 25, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the Public Health Disaster Emergency. The proclamation extends the public health mitigation measures that are currently in place, including the requirement to maintain social distancing in bars, restaurants, movie theaters and similar venues. And it extends many of the regulatory relief measures previously implemented.
The State Public Health Emergency Declaration proclamation is in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, July 25.
A. Restaurants and bars: A restaurant or bar, including a wedding reception venue, winery, brewery, distillery, country club or other social or fraternal club, 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:
Social distancing: The establishment must ensure at least six feet of physical distance between each group or individual dining or drinking alone. Seating at booths closer than six feet may satisfy this requirement if the booths are separated by a barrier of a sufficient height to fully separate seated customers. All patrons must have a seat at a table or bar, and an establishment must limit patrons from congregating together closer than six feet.
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) 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.
(2) Group activities: Any group activities or classes must be limited to a number of people that permits maintaining a distance of six feet apart at all times.
C. Casinos and gaming facilities: A casino or other facility conducting pari-mutuel wagering or gaming operations may reopen or remain open, but only to the extent that it complies with the following requirements:
(1) Social distancing: The establishment must encourage social distancing by spacing gaming positions at least six feet apart, turning off alternating gaming machines, or separating positions with a barrier of sufficient height to fully separate patrons. The establishment may operate table games provided that it takes reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission, such as limiting the number patrons at a table, encouraging or requiring face covering of patrons or employees, providing hand sanitizer, or taking other precautions.
(2) Food and Beverage Service: The establishment shall comply with all the requirements of bars and restaurants in this Proclamation for any food and beverage service.
D. Senior citizen centers and adult daycare facilities: A facility that conducts adult day services or other senior citizen centers may reopen, but only to the extent that the establishment complies with guidance issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health to ensure social distancing, increased hygiene practices, and other public health measures.
E. Salons and Barbershops: A salon or barbershop, including any establishment providing the services of barbering, cosmetology, electrology, esthetics, nail technology, manicuring, and pedicuring may reopen, but only to the extent that it complies with the following requirements:
(1) Social distancing: The salon must ensure that all customers are at least six feet apart when performing cosmetology practices or barbering services.
F. 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 9, paragraph A, of this Proclamation.
G. Theaters and Performance Venues: Any theater or performance venue at which motion pictures are shown or live performances are held may reopen or remain open, but only to the extent that the theater complies with the following requirements:
(1) Social distancing: The theater or performance venue must ensure at least six feet of physical distance between each group or individual attending alone when seated in the theater.
H. Race tracks: A speedway or race track, including a track conducting horse or dog races, may reopen or continue its operations, provided that the establishment complies with the following requirements:
(1) Social distancing: The establishment must ensure at least six feet of physical distance between each group or individual attending alone when seated.
I. Malls: An enclosed mall may reopen or remain open, but only to the extent that it complies with the following requirements:
(1) Play areas: Any play area or playground in a common area must remain closed.