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Iowa enacts health emergency plan closing bars, restaurants

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com and The Associated Press

Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday ordered restaurants, bars, fitness centers, theaters and casinos to close for two weeks as part of a public health emergency plan designed to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Reynolds’ order also says, “Social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure and sporting gatherings and events of more than 10 people are hereby prohibited at all locations and venues. … Planned large gatherings and events must be canceled or postponed until after termination of this disaster.”

Senior citizen centers and adult day care facilities were also closed.

Pastor Debra Lincoln, who runs Messiah Food Pantry in Charles City, said the pantry would close until at least April 14.

The board of directors met Tuesday morning and made the decision because people have to be in close quarters at the pantry, she said.

“This is a small space,” Lincoln said.

She said most of the food they have on hand is shelf-stable or frozen. They have canceled orders of things like bread.

The YMCA announced it would be closing until at least March 30. Decisions would be made on issuing credits, additional time or refunds to members, a post on the Y’s Facebook page said.

The Charles City Public Library said it will be closed through March 23. Limited staff will be available to answer phones and email and fill requests for materials from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

“Material requests should be placed via phone or through our online catalog. We will not accept material requests face to face,” the library said.

“All material due dates will be extended. No fines will be charged. Please keep your materials that you have out until after the schools reopen,” it said.

Gov. Reynolds said while announcing the emergency proclamation, “These are unprecedented times and the state of Iowa will do whatever is necessary to address this public health disaster.

“The actions taken today are necessary to protect the health and safety of all Iowans and are critical to mitigating the spread of the virus.”

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has been notified of six additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19, for a total of 29 positive cases as of Tuesday.

According to IDPH, three individuals are residents of Johnson County; the other three are residents of Adair, Blackhawk and Dallas counties.

So far cases have been identified in Adair (1), Allamakee (2), Black Hawk (1), Carroll (1), Dallas (3), Harrison (1), Johnson (18), Polk (1) and Pottawattamie (1) counties.

Reynold’s proclamation includes steps to prevent people from needing to go to government offices to seek services.

For example, the order says that people whose driver’s licenses have expired within 60 days before the order or that expire while the order is in effect, have 60 days to renew them after the emergency is over.

Vehicle registrations and license plates that would have expired within 60 days before March 17 or that would have expired during the emergency will not expire, and people who purchase a vehicle will not have to apply for registration or a new title during the health emergency.

The Floyd County Courthouse had announced restricted access provisions Monday, and urged everyone to do their business with county offices by phone or online whenever possible.

In order to increase health care options, Reynold’s order allows health care facilities to expand the number of beds to treat victims of the novel coronavirus without a certificate of need during the emergency.

It also makes access to telehealth and telemedicine services easier during the emergency.

Although the closures are intended to last through March 31, the emergency declaration will last for 30 days, allowing Reynolds to mobilize public health response teams to help overburdened local medical and public health personnel, hospitals and resources.

She ordered state agencies to coordinate in developing plans to mitigate the economic impact of the closings, including potential financial support, regulatory relief, and other executive actions.

The provisions of the emergency order may be enforced by any peace officer in the state.

Earlier Tuesday, Iowa legislators suspended the legislative session for 30 days, passing a resolution that halts meeting until April 15.

Among measures quickly passed during the final hours was one that waives the requirement for Iowa schools to make up days that were canceled following Reynolds’ recommendation to recess for four weeks.

Lawmakers also approved spending measures to continue the current budget year past the July 1 beginning of the next fiscal year if needed, since the Legislature had not yet approved next year’s budget.

The measure includes an additional $99 million to school districts, $525,000 for additional COVID-19 testing at a state laboratory and $91.8 million for Medicaid and related programs.

Lawmakers also gave the governor increased authority to transfer money between budget line items and tap emergency funds if needed. A small group of legislative leaders may authorize an additional $196 million to fight the virus without full legislative approval.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver said the legislative break was needed so state government can focus on managing the fight against COVID-19.

House Speaker Pat Grassley said the legislation ensures that Reynolds “can effectively manage a rapidly changing situation.”

“The last thing we want to do is put the public, press, staff or legislators at risk,” Grassley said.

For most people, COVID-19 causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness. Most people recover from the virus.

Cases of the sickness caused by the novel coronavirus have now been confirmed in all 50 states, and at least 100 people infected with the disease in the U.S. have died.

A study by the Washington Post, which is tracking every death, shows that 85% of those who died where older than 60, and about 45% were older than 80. Many had underlying health conditions.

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