BOONE, Iowa—Monday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration until May 27, 2020. The proclamation loosens social distancing measures in 77 Iowa counties effective Friday, May 1 and continues other restrictions until 11:50 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2020.

In the 77 counties, which includes Boone County, the proclamation permits restaurants, fitness centers, malls, libraries, race tracks, and certain other retail establishments to reopen in a limited fashion with public health measures in place. In addition, the proclamation lifts the restriction on religious and spiritual gatherings so long as churches and other gathering hosts implement reasonable public health measures. All other regulatory relief previously provided to affected Iowans is also extended until Wednesday, May 27, 2020.

The full proclamation is online in its entirety: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Kurt Philips, Executive Director of the Boone County Chamber of Commerce has also passed along guidelines from the Iowa Department of Public Health for those businesses planning on re-opening.

IDPH Reopening Guidance 4_27_20

Guidance for businesses COVID Outbreak 4_24_20(AC)