(Des Moines) On Monday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds targeted 77 counties to loosen distancing measures. The new guidelines permit restaurants, fitness centers, malls, libraries, race tracks, and other retail establishments to reopen in a limited fashion with public health measures in place.
Sarah Reistetter, Iowa Department of Public Health Deputy Director, reviewed some of the guidance developed for those businesses. Reistetter says the guidelines are put in place to ensure companies can open responsibly.
Reistetter says, starting this Friday, restaurants can begin limiting on-site dining service. Under the guidelines, the restaurant should limit seating to 50-percent of average capacity. Group sizes are limited to no more than six people. Accommodation must be an arrangement to allow for a distance of six-feet between tables. The new guidelines prohibit customer self-service, including beverages, buffets, and salad bars, and implementing reasonable measures of social distancing between employees and customers.
Reistetter says these additional guidelines include an enhanced cleaning schedule and eliminate seating at bar areas where people would sit close together. Additionally, restaurants are encouraged to use a reservation-only system for inside dining. Restaurant managers can screen customers upon arrival by asking if anyone in the party has tested positive, has symptoms, or has been exposed to COVID-19. Managers should screen all employees before each shift, and employees with direct customer contact should wear masks.
The proclamation takes effect May 1 and continues other restrictions until 11:50 p.m. on Friday, May 15.
(The 77 counties are shown in light color on the map)
