Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a new public health proclamation on May 6, 2020, regarding COVID-19. In accordance with this proclamation, the following orders will now in be in place in Cedar Falls effective 5:00 AM on May 8, 2020:
- Fitness centers, health clubs, health spas, gyms, and aquatic centers may allow a single person into them at one time on an appointment-only basis. They must take measures to ensure social distancing and to reduce the spread of COVID-19 per state public health guidelines.
- Enclosed malls may reopen, but must limit the number of people allowed inside to 50 percent of its maximum capacity. Seating areas and play areas inside the malls must remain closed. Restaurants and foodservice businesses inside malls may provide carry-out only service. Malls must ensure social distancing practices and other measures recommended by health department officials to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
- Other retail establishments, such as bookstores, clothing stores, jewelry stores, florists, and furniture or home furnishing stores may reopen but must limit the number of people inside to 50 percent of maximum capacity in the store at once. Stores must also ensure social distancing and other public health department guidance is followed.
- Campgrounds, both public and private, may reopen, as long as operators take reasonable measures to ensure social distancing and hygiene practices that limit the spread of the virus.
- Drive-in movie theaters may reopen, but cars must be parked at least six feet apart, along with other reasonable measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 per state guidance.
- Tanning facilities may also reopen, but must take enhanced hygiene practices and ensure social distancing.
- Medical spas, as defined by state code, may resume performing medical aesthetic services but must take proper steps, including using personal protective equipment, to ensure the safety of workers and customers.
- Dental care providers can resume services on May 8, as long as they are in compliance with guidance issued by the Iowa Dental Board on May 5. They must also have sufficient stocks of personal protective equipment without relying on state or local public health stockpiles and must implement plans to conserve their stocks of PPE.
Restaurants and bars, swimming pools, salons, barbershops, libraries, and race tracks will remain closed through May 15 in accordance with the previous proclamation issued April 27, 2020.
Additionally, theaters, casinos and other gaming facilities, social and fraternal clubs, senior citizen centers and adult daycare facilities, amusements (such as bingo, pool, bowling, arcades, amusement parks), museums, aquariums, zoos, skating rinks and skate parks, playgrounds, tattoo establishments, and massage therapy establishments are all to remain closed. Door-to-door sales remain prohibited.
Mass gatherings of more than 10 people for purposes of social, community, recreational, leisure and sporting purposes remain prohibited except for church, farmers markets and some auctions; certain restrictions apply and reasonable precautions are required for such allowed gatherings.
View the full proclamation by Governor Reynolds at https://governor.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Proclamation%20of%20Disaster%20Emergency%20-%202020.05.06.pdf.
The City continues to highly encourage residents to wear masks when out in the public as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control have validated that a mask will help considerably in reducing the spread of COVID-19. The City also reminds the community to practice frequent handwashing, disinfection of surfaces, and abide by social distancing guidelines by keeping at least six feet away from others.
City staff will continue to work with the Iowa Department of Health and Black Hawk County Health Department to keep the community safe and informed. Stay updated by following the City of Cedar Falls on Facebook and Twitter (@citycf) and online at www.cedarfalls.com/prepare.