(Des Moines) Today, Gov. Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration and implementing additional measures to protect residents, workers, and the public in RMCC Region 6.
“I’ve said from the start I’m committed to making data-driven decisions regarding our response to COVID-19 in Iowa,” said Reynolds. “Today the data tells us that region six has elevated to a level ten due in large part to the long term care facility outbreaks, the severity of the illness, and the rate of hospitalization. It also takes into account the increase of virus activity in that area of the state.”
Reynolds says by using regional data they’re able to recognize trends and adjust mitigation efforts to more effectively address specific measures to slow the spread of the virus in a more defined area. “So today based on the ranking we’re implementing additional mitigation steps in Region 6,” Reynolds said.
The proclamation limits social, community, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings in RMCC Region 6 to only people who live together in the same household. And it continues to limit weddings, funerals, and other spiritual or religious gatherings to no more than 10 people. The proclamation also requires people to remain six feet away from people outside their household whenever possible and requires employers to take reasonable steps to increase telework and adopt reasonable precautions to protect the health of employees and the public at any in-person operations.
RMCC Region 6 includes Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Grundy, Howard, Jones, Linn, and Winneshiek counties.
The order is effective at 11:59 p.m. on April 16, 2020, and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2020. Read the full text of the proclamation can be read below or click here to read online:
