Gov. Reynolds relaxes dining rules in Iowa

Iowa restaurants and bars may return to normal business hours, but patrons must still wear masks when not seated for eating or drinking, and groups must be at least 6 feet from one another, according to a new proclamation announced Wednesday by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

The restriction on the number of people who can gather at one time also is lifted, but groups or individuals must distance themselves from one another. Reynolds is also relaxing rules over attendance at high school, youth and adult sports events, allowing members of a participant’s household to attend.

Reynolds’ revised coronavirus pandemic emergency proclamation, which took effect at 12:01 a.m. today, follows an overall decline in the spread of COVID-19 and hospitalizations in Iowa in the past month.

“The virus is still circulating in our communities and across the state, but if we continue to control the things that we can control and do our part to prevent another surge, there’s no reason we can’t effectively live with COVID-19 a little longer,” Reynolds said.