On Wednesday December 16th  Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a new Public Health Disaster proclamation that modifies existing public health measures designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The proclamation requires social distancing and public health measures for many social, community, business, and leisure gatherings or events.

Examples include: For high school-sponsored events and other sporting or recreational events, including youth and adult sporting events, spectators are no longer limited to just two spectators if all spectators are from the same household.

Restaurants or bars, including a wedding reception venue, winery, brewery, distillery, country club, or other social or fraternal club can resume in-person services at their regular business hours. Bar seating is now allowed.

The new measures take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2020, and expire at 11 59 p.m. on January 8, 2021.

A summary of the public health measures is provided below.  For complete details and to read the full proclamation, CLICK HERE.

Summary of Enhanced Public Health Measures

Mask Use: Indoor spaces open to the public & State executive branch buildings

• No change

Gathering Restrictions: Social, community, business, or leisure gatherings

• Ensure 6-feet distance between groups or individuals attending alone

• Only two spectators for each youth or adult athlete, cheerleader, pep band member, or organizer staff, unless all spectators are from the same household, must wear a mask and maintain 6-feet distance from other spectators
• Youth and adult participants can be closer than 6 feet and are not required to wear masks

High School Sports & Extracurriculars: Sporting, recreational, and extracurricular events

• Only two spectators for each high school athlete, performer, competitor, cheerleader, pep band member, or staff member, unless all spectators are from the same household , must wear a mask and maintain 6-feet distance from other spectators
• Students participating can be closer than 6 feet and are not required to wear masks

Restaurants and Bars: Restaurant or bar, including a wedding reception venue, winery, brewery, distillery, country club, or other social or fraternal club

• Masks required when not seated at a table, booth, or bar (while playing games, dancing, etc.)
• Six feet distancing between groups
• Groups limited to 8 people unless larger group is all same household
• Seated when eating or drinking and limit congregating

Fitness Centers: Fitness centers, health clubs, health spas, gyms

• Group fitness activities are allowed if a 6-foot distance is maintained

• Masks required except when seated to eat or drink.

• Mask required when not seated to eat or drink
• Ensure that groups and individuals are six feet apart at establishment
• Groups limited to eight people unless larger group is all same household