By: Sam T. Jensen — [email protected]
Des Moines, IA – Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) is extending an emergency proclamation, effective Wednesday, in response to growing COVID-19 cases.
Reynolds in a press conference Tuesday said Iowans “can’t let [their] guard down” and the supposed least threatening activities pose the highest risk of COVID-19 transmission, including wedding receptions, youth sports, or simply having neighbors or friends over.
Reynolds says every Iowan should carefully consider what activities they participate in.
To help combat the large spike in coronavirus cases, Reynolds issued a proclamation that will be go into effect Midnight, November 11th and remain for 30 days.
The governor says any “social, community, recreational, leisure, or sporting gatherings with more than 25 people indoors or 100 people outdoors will be prohibited unless all people over the age of two wear masks.” Groups of individuals who attend these events together are limited to eight people unless the group is from the same household. All groups must still maintain social distancing from other groups at the event.
At indoor youth and high school sporting or recreational activities, only two spectators per youth athlete or participant are permitted to attend. The new eight-person limitation also applies to bars and restaurants, where distancing of six feet between groups will continue to be enforced. Patrons must be seated to consume food or drinks.
Masks are required to be worn by employees and customers at businesses that offer personal services including salons, barbershops, massage therapy ,tattooing, and tanning. Bowling alleys, pool, bingo halls, arcades, indoor playgrounds, and children’s play centers are required to ensure groups are limited to eight and maintain a six-foot distance.
Mitigations are already set in place for winter sports in Humboldt, but the new proclamation might alter the amount of attendees for home or away basketball games. COVID-related information regarding Humboldt sports can be found at the school’s website.