Reynolds: Casinos, amusement parks and more opening June 1

DES MOINES, Iowa (KMTV) — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds held a coronavirus briefing on Tuesday, reminding the public about businesses being allowed to open on May 28 while announcing additional venues that will be permitted to follow on June 1.

Reynolds started things off with a reminder that, on May 28, bars, wineries, breweries, distilleries and other social and fraternal clubs may reopen following the same public health measures as restaurants. That includes limiting the businesses to 50% of capacity and maintaining six feet of social distancing between groups.

In addition, Reynolds said bands will be allowed to perform at bars and restaurants “but must also follow social distancing protocols with members of the group and the audience.” Party sizes can now include up to ten people as well.

Starting on June 1, Reynolds said the following may reopen:

• Speedways and racetracks
• Outdoor performance venues such as amphitheaters and grandstands
• Casinos
• Amusement parks
• Bowling alleys
• Pool halls
• Arcades
• Skating rinks and skate parks
• Outdoor playgrounds

As is the case with other businesses, those establishments will be required to operate at 50% capacity and maintain social distancing, hygiene and other public health measures.

Also on June 1, Reynolds said, “Social, community, leisure and sports gatherings of more than ten people will be permitted again.” People attending the gatherings must maintain social distancing guidelines and the venues will be required to limit capacity to 50% or whatever is necessary to maintain social distancing.

Practice and games will be allowed for following adult/youth sports:

• Baseball
• Softball
• Running
• Biking
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Golf

Businesses that have not been allowed to reopen up this point will continue to remain closed until at least June 17 and will continue to be under review by the state.

Beginning tomorrow, Reynolds said the moratorium on evictions, foreclosures and debt-collection activities will come to an end at 11:59 p.m. For those who may have trouble paying their rent and mortgages, the governor said a program, that will use money from the Federal CARES Act, is being set up to help.

The program will apply for residential evictions and foreclosures and will be available to those who have documented evidence of loss of income due to the pandemic and are unable to pay their rent or mortgage payments. Eligibility requirements will be shared at a later date.

The governor said the program should be launched later this week.

3 News Now This Morning Anchor Courtney Johns provided live updates on Twitter:

Watch below.

You can find all our coronavirus coverage, including an exposure-site map, here