Governor Signs New Emergency Proclamation

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration until May 27, 2020.  The proclamation loosens social distancing measures in 77 Iowa counties effective Friday, May 1 and continues other restrictions until 11:50 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2020.  The following counties are excluded from the new social distancing measures stated in the proclamation:  Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Dallas, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fayette, Henry, Iowa, Jasper, Johnson, Linn, Louisa, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Tama, Washington, and Woodbury County.
 
The full text of the proclamation is available here.  The waiver of penalties and interest associated with property taxes is extended through May 15, 2020 and will be automatically extended according to any future extension of the proclamation. In the 77 Iowa counties where restrictions were weakened, FUELIowa members may evaluate their ability to reopen in-store dining areas under the following guidelines:

A.   Restaurants: A restaurant may reopen 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 ensure that no group of customers seated together in the restaurant is larger 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)  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