Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered bars, taverns, breweries and nightclubs to close in Black Hawk, Johnson, Story, Polk, Linn and Dallas counties. Restaurants that sell alcohol may stay open, but must stop selling alcohol at 10 p.m. every night.
Reynolds is taking this step due to increased COVID cases, especially among the 18-40 age range. Much of the spread, Reynolds said, is between age 19-24. Twenty-three percent of all new positive cases statewide are among adults 19-24.
She said in Johnson County, over the last 14 days, 58 percent of new cases are in the 19-24 range. In Story County, that number is 67 percent.
Reynolds is also calling on all peace officers in the state to assist in enforcing these measures as well as the measures she signed last week, which include a requirement that Iowans hosting social gatherings of more than 10 people ensure maintaining six feet of social distancing.
The proclamation signed today also “strongly encourages” Iowans 2 years old and older to wear facemasks when in public settings.
All of the actions go into effect at 5 p.m. Thursday and will be in effect until Sept. 20. Reynolds said she doesn’t make these decisions “lightly,” but the actions are “absolutely necessary.”
She isn’t issuing a mask mandate because it would unenforceable, Reynolds said.
