State issues extra guidance for Friday restarts

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BY CHUCK VANDENBERG
PCC EDITOR

JOHNSTON - State health officials have added some extra tips to guidance released Monday as 77 Iowa counties will see some relaxed restrictions beginning Friday.

At Gov. Kim Reynolds' daily press conference Tuesday, Iowa Department of Public Health Deputy Director Sarah Reisetter added some additional guidance specific to restaurants. On Friday restaurants in those counties, which include Lee County, will be allowed to reopen at 50% of normal operating capacity.

In addition to mandating that restaurants limit patron groups to six or less and keep them a minimum of six feet apart, Reisetter said Tuesday that restaurants should consider reservation systems only for dine in service.

In addition she said restaurants should enhance daily sanitation procedures and require all direct contact wait staff to wear face masks. Reisetter said restaurants should close all bar seating and operations where people would sit next to each other.

When pressed as to who would enforce the state guidelines, Reynolds said the Iowa Department of Inspection and Appeals is normally charged with those duties, but she was holding confidence in the Iowa Restaurant Association and it's members to adhere to the guidelines.

"Many Iowans have missed their favorite local restaurant and are curious to see how the experience will be different and whether it will be safe," Reynolds said.

"The Iowa Restaurant Association has worked proactively with owners across the state to establish guidelines for operations and to meet expectations of customers. I have confidence in Iowans to do the right thing."

Reisetter said all the newest guidelines would be on the state's website at coronavirus.iowa.gov. But she added that those that are vulnerable or have been exposed need to stay home.

She said additional recommendations include screening all customers by asking if anyone has tested positive for coronavirus, has been exposed, or has symptoms . Restaurant owners and managers should also be screening employees before each shift and be excluding anyone symptomatic.

Reynolds also put her confidence in the ability of religious leaders to conduct services in a safe manner. Restrictions around those gatherings were also relaxed on Monday as long as the organizations put safety measures in place to safeguard the health of their members.

"We continue to work with churches across the state and encourage them to offer online services for church and encouraging them to practice social distancing across the state," Reynolds said.

"And they will make sure they practice safe worships across the state. We know social distancing works so we should incorporate that into opening our services."

The state saw 508 new positives as of 10 a.m Monday morning bringing the state total to 6,376. Of those tested, Reynolds said 2,169 or 34% have fully recovered.

There were nine additional deaths around the state through Monday morning, bringing the total to 136 statewide. Lee County now has seven positive cases through Monday night with no deaths. Des Moines County has 17 positive cases with one death, Henry County has 32 cases with one death. Jefferson County has six positive cases and Van Buren County has eight.

Reynolds said there were seven new outbreaks in the state at long-term care centers in Dallas, Dubuque, Jaspar, Marshall and Polk counties.

She said strike teams are on their way to those locations to help mitigate the spread. She also said another Test Iowa site will be opening in Waterloo at the Crossroads Mall this week for additional scheduled testing.

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