(Iowa City, IA) — Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague has declared a civil emergency and is ordering face coverings be worn in public places, challenging the new state law that largely forbids the move. Teague says his mask mandate is necessary as the Delta variant has caused the numbers of positive cases continue to grow. A spokesperson for Governor Reynolds says the order violates the new state law that bans mask mandates in school settings. The law also bars local city and county officials from mask mandates in private businesses, but local officials can require masking on city or county-owned property. Teague says as mayor, he has the power to act when a public danger exists.
