IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Gov. Kim Reynolds says she will partially reopen businesses and churches in 77 of Iowa’s 99 counties, even as the state is suffering from fast-growing numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths.
Beginning in those counties May 1, Reynolds said that restaurants, fitness centers, retail stores and malls will be allowed to reopen at 50 percent of their operating capacity. She said that she would also allow church services to resume without limits on their size.
Reynolds said the 77 counties have experienced a downward trend in virus activity over the last two weeks.
She said that she would extend previously-ordered business closures in 22 other counties through May 15.
BREAKING: Starting May 1st 77 counties in Iowa will be allowed to open restaurants, fitness centers, and retail stores. There will be limitations including having a max of 50 percent capacity. #coronavirus
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) April 27, 2020
BREAKING: Here are the latest numbers for coronavirus according to the State of Iowa’s website.
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) April 27, 2020
9 additional deaths
127 total deaths
392 new cases
5,868 total cases
2,021 recovering#CORONAVIRUS
Gov. Reynolds says, We must learn to live with covid-19 in our community and not let it control our lives.
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) April 27, 2020
Gov. Reynolds says roughly 1 out of 82 Iowans have been tested for coronavirus.
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) April 27, 2020
Gov. Reynolds says it’s important we, “Balance health of our people and the health of our economy.”
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) April 27, 2020
Sporting events will be limited to 10 people in Iowa. #coronavirus
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) April 27, 2020
BREAKING: The remaining 22 counties in Iowa will continue closures through May 15th. #coronavirus
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) April 27, 2020
Religious facilities will be able to open, but must follow social distance guidelines set by the Iowa Health Department.
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) April 27, 2020
Gov. Reynolds says the latest moves in opening up the state came from looking at the rate of positivity, hospitalization rate, and the number of people recovered.
— Courtney Johns (@CourtneyJohnsTV) April 27, 2020
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