Gov. Kim Reynolds announced during Wednesday’s press conference the enhanced mitigation measures still in place for 22 Iowa counties will be allowed to expire at the end of the week. On Friday, May 15, restrictions across the state will be the same with restaurants, fitness centers, malls, libraries, retail establishments and other similar businesses allowed to reopen at 50 percent of their normal operating capacity. A new proclamation signed today (Wednesday) by the governor will allow, salons, barbershops and massage and tattoo establishments to open at the end of the week. All other public health measures, including non-religious social gatherings of more than 10 people, have been extended through May 27. A link to the full proclamation can be found included with this story on our website. Reynolds stresses the lifting of these restrictions does not mean the threat of the virus has passed and encourages Iowans to continue practicing physical distancing, limit travel and wear a mask when in public, especially Iowa’s most vulnerable populations. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reports 377 new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the state as of Wednesday morning, bringing the total to 13,289 with 95 of Iowa’s 99 counties recording at least one case since the beginning of the pandemic. Seventeen additional coronavirus-related deaths were also identified, marking 306 deaths to date. As for virus activity in the listening area, Calhoun County remains at a single confirmed case and Sac County stands at three. Carroll County has identified seven cases, Audubon at 10, Guthrie at 36 and Crawford County at 207. For more information on COVID-19 in Iowa, visit coronavirus.iowa.gov.
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