County health departments provide advice for governor’s announcement

Following Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds' announcement of new restrictions on gatherings intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus. County public health departments in Henry, Jefferson and Washington counties issued advice on slowing the spread of the disease.

The Iowa Department of Public Health spelled out the new restrictions in an email covering gatherings, school sports, restaurants and bars and remote work. For instance, the order requires mask-wearing at indoor events where there are more than 25 people, and at outdoor events where there are more than 100.

The rules were put into effect Wednesday and will remain in effect through at least Monday, Nov. 30.

The state – and Southeast Iowa counties – has seen its active COVID-19 cases rise sharply in the last month, when the statewide number rose from about 14,000 in mid-October to more than 44,000 on Tuesday.

Public health departments in Jefferson, Henry and Washington counties issued a press release Tuesday explaining that their goal has been to 'flatten the curve,” referring to the number of active COVID-19 cases.

'This process was implemented so we did not overwhelm our healthcare systems with acutely ill individuals,” the news release said.

Jefferson County Public Health Administrator Chris Estle noted, 'For the first time in this long, exhausting, pandemic response, Jefferson County is facing the surge of pandemic spread and illness.”

Jefferson and Washington counties have seen their active COVID-19 cases more than triple since mid-October. Jefferson County went from 40 cases to 158 cases in that span, and Washington County went from 86 to 260.

Henry County, which had a spike in mid-September when 335 people were positive, saw its number dip to about 135 cases in mid-October. But its numbers are rising again, too, and now back to more than 300 active cases.

The county public health departments advise the public to:

' Wear a mask/face covering.

' Stay home when even mildly ill.

' Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow/upper arm.

' Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

The local public health departments thanked the public for its continued support of the pandemic response.

'Now more than ever, come together for the greater good and the health of our community,” the news release stated.

The full list of new rules from Gov. Reynolds is as follows:

Gathering restrictions: Social, community, recreational, or leisure

If more than 10 people:

' 6 feet distancing between groups.

' Groups limited to 8 people, with the exception of households larger than 8.

' Take other reasonable measures to ensure social distancing and increase hygiene.

' If more than 25 people and indoors, all participants over 2 years old must wear masks except when eating and drinking.

' If more than 100 people and outdoors, all participants over 2 years old must wear masks except when eating and drinking.

' All these restrictions apply to wedding receptions, including distancing, group limitations, and mask requirement if event is sufficiently large.

Youth and high school sports:

' If more than 25 people and indoors, all spectators older than 2 years old must wear masks and maintain 6 feet distance from other spectators.

' Only two spectators permitted for each youth athlete.

' Athletes of any age may be closer than 6 feet and are not required to wear masks.

Restaurants and bars: Restaurant or bar, including a wedding reception venue, winery, brewery, distillery, country club, or other social or fraternal club

' Six feet distancing between groups.

' Groups limited to eight people unless larger group is all same household.

' Seated when eating or drinking and limit congregating.

Personal service establishments: Salons, barbershops, massage therapy establishments, tattoo establishments and tanning facilities

' Ensure that all customers are 6 feet apart when performing services.

' Mandated to wear masks, except when performing face services.

Closer/prolonged contact establishments: Bowling alleys, pool halls, bingo halls, arcades, indoor playgrounds, children's play centers

' Ensure that groups and individuals are six feet apart at establishment.

' Groups limited to eight people unless larger group is all same household.

Remote working/other employer measures:

All employers shall evaluate whether any more of their employees can feasibly work remotely and to the extent reasonable, shall take steps to enable such employees to work from home. Those remaining open shall take other reasonable precautions.