(Des Moines, IA) -- Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is extending Iowa’s disaster emergency proclamation to December 16, but there are a few changes.
- Organized sports and recreational events, including bowling leagues, may resume for youth and adults. Limits on spectators remain limited to two per participant.
- That same two spectator rule applies to high school athletes, cheerleaders, band members and others performing at high school sporting events.
- Restaurants, bars, and other venues that serve alcohol, including casinos, must restrict last call for service at 10 p.m.
- The state is also easing restrictions on elective medical procedures from a 50 percent reduction to a 25 percent reduction.
The previous proclamation was to expire Thursday.
Reynolds is also encouraging parents to urge schools to allow more kids to return to the classroom. Reynolds says data has shown children have the lowest infection rates and rarely spread the virus to each other. “Transmission within schools occurs most often between staff members, less often among staff and students and it rarely occurs from student to student,” Reynolds said.
School districts are only required to offer in-person instruction only half-time. They must also offer a virtual only option for parents.