DES MOINES, Iowa - Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie has issued a proclamation mandating that everyone in the city wear a mask in public when social distancing isn't possible.
Cownie issued the proclamation in a press release posted online Wednesday.
The proclamation mandates that everyone wear a mask when not in their homes whenever staying six feet or more away from others isn't possible, including at businesses and when using public transportation. It also instructs businesses to post signs requiring customers to wear a mask and to refuse service to any customers who don't comply.
Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert says police officers have 10,000 masks ready to distribute to anyone who needs one. Wingert says police will focus on handing out masks rather than citations.
Des Moines is the fifth city in Iowa to mandate masks in public, joining Dubuque, Iowa City, Mount Vernon, and Muscatine.
The City of Des Moines is providing free masks through the following partners:
- Des Moines Parks and Recreation
- Des Moines Public Library
- DART
- Blank Park Zoo
- YMCA of Greater Des Moines
- Central Iowa Shelter & Services
- Des Moines Botanical Garden