JOHNSTON, Iowa (KCAU) – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced on Tuesday that casinos, amusement parks, outdoor performances, and race tracks can reopen on June 1 following public health measures.
The governor said speedways and race tracks can open events to spectators.
Outdoor performance venues, such as amphitheaters and grandstands, can hold live performances.
Casinos and gaming facilities may reopen as well as amusement parks, arcades, bowling alleys, outdoor playgrounds, pool halls, skating rinks, and skate parks.
All of them at 50% of the normal operating capacity and according to social distancing, hygiene, and public health measures.
Governor Reynolds also announced on Tuesday that the existing State Public Health Disaster Emergency Proclamation will be extended through June 25.
She said that she will make some changes to the public health measures that the state has had in place.
Also effective on June 1, social, community, recreational, leisure, and sports gatherings of more than 10 people will be permitted again.
She mentions that groups and individuals attending the gatherings must maintain six feet of social distancing.
Venues are limited to 50% of their normal operating capacity or the level necessary to maintain an adequate distancing and must following social distancing, hygiene, and public health measures.
The proclamation also permits practices, games, and competitions for youth and adult baseball, softball, and individual sports such as running, biking, swimming, tennis, and golf to resume with appropriate social distancing, hygiene, and public health measures in place.
The governor said in a news conference Tuesday that live bands and other musical performers are now permitted at bars and restaurants but must also follow social distancing protocols with the members of the group and the audience.
Gov. Reynolds announced that restaurants and bars may set party sizes of up to 10 people.
The proclamation extends regulatory relief to those affected by this public health emergency until June 25.
She said on Tuesday that many of the public health measures for businesses that have already reopened will remain in place and businesses that remained closed will continue to be closed through June 17.
Gov. Reynolds mentions in the coming weeks she will continue to evaluate whether any of these measures should be adjusted further.
The governor said in the news conference that the disaster emergency proclamation has provided significant regulatory relief to businesses and individuals over the course of the COVID-19 crisis.
She said while some relief will continue for another 30 days, some other components will phase out on Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. including the moratorium on foreclosures, evictions, and other debt collection activities.
Governor Reynolds announced a COVID-19 eviction and foreclosure prevention program to provide continued relief to Iowa families who are having a hard time paying their rent or mortgage payments due to a reduction in income.
She will be allocating the funding through the state’s allocation of the federal CARES Act funds and will be administered by the Iowa Finance Authority.
The program applies to residential evictions and foreclosures and will be available to eligible Iowans who have experienced a documented loss of income due to COVID-19 and are unable to pay their mortgage or rent payment.
She mentions that more information on eligibility will be available soon including income limitations, the types of assistance that’s available, and how to apply.
The governor said for Iowans that are able to pay their rent or mortgage payments, it’s a reminder that they should be making their payments as usual.
She adds that the moratorium wasn’t a “freeze” on payments but rather a “necessary public health protection” to ensure that Iowans were able to stay in their homes at the height of the emergency.
She announced last week that effective on Thursday, bars, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and other social or fraternal clubs may reopen following the same public health measures as restaurants that include limited normal operating capacity to 50% and social distancing groups of six feet.
For the full State Public Health Emergency Disaster Proclamation, click here.
Governor Reynolds held a news conference on Tuesday from the State Emergency Operations Center in Johnston that provided an update on COVID-19 to the state.
Iowa Department of Public Health has announced 135 more cases of the coronavirus and eight additional virus-related deaths at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
The IDPH COVID-19 dashboard is being updated in real-time.
Watch the replay of the live stream above or on the KCAU 9 News Facebook page.
