More Iowan businesses to reopen June 1, Emergency Disaster Proclamation extended through June 25

Iowa will see further reopenings for various businesses starting June 1.

At her news conference on Tuesday morning, Gov. Kim Reynolds explained she would be extending the existing Emergency Disaster Proclamation through June 25 but with modifications to certain public health measures.

These changes included allowing speedways and racetracks to reopen to spectators beginning June 1, as well as outdoor performance venues, casinos and gaming facilities. These businesses may reopen at 50% of normal operating capacity and in accordance with social distancing, hygiene and public health measures, Reynolds explained. Other facilities who have the go-ahead to reopen June 1 include bowling alleys, pool halls and arcades.

Additionally, Reynolds is lifting measures to allow 'social, community, recreational, leisure and sports gatherings of more than ten people,” but with continued observance of six-feet social distancing and public health guidelines. This allows for practices, games and competitions.

These additional reopenings accompany other loosened restrictions the governor announced last week, which allow bars, wineries and breweries and other social clubs to reopen beginning May 28 under the same measures and restrictions as restaurants.

Reynolds also announced the phasing out of certain relief, including the moratorium on evictions and mortgages, which will close Wednesday at midnight. In place of the moratorium, Reynolds said she would be allocating funds 'through the state's allocation of the federal CARES Act funds for the creation of a COVID-19 Evictions and Foreclosures Prevention Program which will be administered by the Iowa Finance Authority.”

The program will be available to those facing residential foreclosures and who have 'a documented loss of income” due to the pandemic. Reynolds said further details on eligibility and how to access the program will come later this week.

As of Tuesday morning, Iowa reported 17,659 positive cases across the state with 9,442 cases recovered and 466 deaths, according to data from the Iowa Department of Public Health. Reynolds noted the state has about a 53% recovery rate. The governor also said over 28,000 Iowans were tested last week for the virus with 6,146 tests conducted at TestIowa locations.

Locally, both Washington County and Henry County see one additional case on Tuesday, with 184 cases and 64 cases, respectively. Jefferson County saw no new cases and remains at 18 cases.