Statewide Iowa — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has taken the extraordinary step of declaring a Public Health Disaster Emergency in Iowa. All public gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited.
Bars and restaurants temporarily closed to the public at noon Tuesday, but carry-out and drive-thru options can continue. The Governor’s order also calls for the closure of all the state’s casinos, movie theaters and fitness clubs.
In her proclamation, Governor Reynolds says the risk of COVID-19 transmission is substantially reduced by these kind of community containment actions.
The governor’s directive also calls for closing all senior citizens centers and adult daycares to the public. Many of those facilities had already made that move.
The Iowa legislature is NOT in session for at least 30 days after giving the governor new spending authority to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl made this announcement at about 12:15 a.m. Tuesday.
Iowa legislators have been encouraged to work from home on bills, on budget, working with their constituents, so that when the legislature reconvenes, the legislators will be ready to work.
