IOWA, USA — Businesses across the entire state of Iowa will be able to reopen starting Friday, Gov. Kim Reynolds said at her Wednesday COVID-19 press conference.
Reynolds said effective Friday, May 15, all restrictions currently lifted in 77 of Iowa's counties will be expanded statewide.
"Our decisions have been based on Iowa data, the expertise of our department of public health and our epidemiologist team, the CDC, national experts, and governors sharing their expertise and best practices," Reynolds said.
"For Iowans, I think it's in our DNA to plan and manage through emergencies, to coordinate with our community partners, to come together and support each other in times of need," she continued.
The following businesses across the entire state can reopen their doors this Friday:
- Restaurants
- Fitness centers
- Malls
- Other retail establishments
- Salons
- Barbershops
- Medical spas
- Tanning facilities
- Massage therapy establishments
- Tattoo parlors
- Campgrounds
- Race tracks
- Libraries
- Drive-in theaters
- Social and fraternal clubs
Bars and casinos are not included in the proclamation. Reynolds said that she will continue to look at data to determine when these establishments and other events, like high school sports, can reopen or start for the summer.
Each business must follow specific guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health when they reopen. There will still be capacity restrictions as well as social distancing guidelines for these businesses to follow.
Sarah Reisetter with the IDPH said Iowans, especially those who are at high risk, should continue to be cautious when heading to these businesses.
"First, it's important to remember that any Iowan who is over 65, or who is at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 related illness should continue to stay home as much as possible to protect your health," she said.
Reisetter also noted that if you need to leave your residence, you should continue to follow social distancing guidelines or wear a face mask if social distancing isn't possible.
"Anyone, regardless of their age, who has been in close contact for more than 30 minutes with a confirmed positive case also needs to continue to self isolate for 14 days. This is how we will continue to minimize control and contain the spread of the virus," Reisetter stressed.
"It's also okay to continue to stay at home if you're not in a high risk category. Everyone Iowan needs to do what's best for them, and that will differ depending on everyone's unique circumstances."
Read the proclamation below:
"Saturday can't come fast enough for us," managing partner at Bubba Southern Comforts Chris Diebel said.
For some, Wednesday's proclamation was an end to what has been a long couple months
"We are ready to welcome people back in a socially distanced dining room," Diebel said.
"We saw the numbers and how they increase, so collectively today as a team we decided we aren't going to open our doors until June 1," XO Studio owner Charlie Bonanno said.
The timing didn't feel right yet.
"The first question I asked them was do you feel comfortable about it, do you feel safe about this? they all chimed up and said i really don't feel comfortable right now at this time," Bonanno said.
So XO Studio will remain closed, but downtown's Bubba is getting ready for a return to some normalcy.
Barstools have been removed, couches have been moved out and where there were three tables there's now one.
"All of our tables are at least six feet apart so the dining room does look a little different," Diebel said.
Plus single use menus, increased cleaning policies for staff and of course an abundance of hand sanitizer.
All of this leads to a step in the right direction for a business that needs it.
"Opening at 50 percent capacity doesn't fix our problems but it certainly helps. Every little bit helps," Diebel said.
Also a tough decision on the other hand for businesses that are turning down that every little bit.
"We would love to work. We would love to make the income but not at the sacrifice of our health, of our families health and of our clients health," Bonanno said.
"We don't want anyone to feel uncomfortable. If the best thing for you is to order curbside by all means give us a shout we'll bring it out in a mask and gloves to you and if you feel like you're ready to come in we'd love to welcome you with open arms come Saturday," Diebel said.
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