DES MOINES, Iowa - Mayor of Des Moines Frank Cownie declared a state of emergency in the city Sunday afternoon. The mayor said he based his decision on the community spread of COVID-19/coronavirus that was announced in the state Saturday night. Cownie is prohibiting gatherings of 250 or more people within the city limits and is directing the police department to enforce the restriction.
"I hereby determine that a state of emergency or public danger exists and direct that all gatherings of 250 people or more on public property or public right-of-way are hereby prohibited and any permits or permissions previously granted are hereby rescinded and any amounts paid for such permits shall be refunded upon request," said Cownie. "I further determine and direct the Police Chief to enforce such direction to avoid any such gatherings, whether formally or informally organized."
There is now a case of community spread of coronavirus reported in Polk County Sunday by Governor Kim Reynolds. Community spread means the person infected had no known contact with an infected person or region.