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Republican Rep. Steve Holt spoke out against Iowa City’s new mask mandate, put in place by mayor Bruce Teague. Holt said the order violates state law and can’t be enforced.
“It is unfortunate that citizens are put in this position by elected officials with no respect for the rule of law,” Holt wrote on Facebook.
Teague’s order requires all within the limits of Iowa City to wear a face-covering that covers the nose and mouth when in public places and maintaining six feet of distance from others isn’t possible. The order includes public schools and the University of Iowa academic buildings and business offices.
Teague’s order offers exceptions when the individual is 2 years old or younger, anyone has trouble breathing, someone is alone or with household members, someone is traveling in a personal vehicle alone or with household members, jogging or biking or other intense exercises, at a restaurant while eating or drinking, a doctor advises against using a mask and/or emergency personnel are carrying out public safety work.
Iowa passed a law in May that forbids cities from invoking broad mask mandates that apply to private establishments. It does allow cities to require masks on public property.
