Hunter
09/26/20
Governor Kim Reynolds announced a new proclamation Friday extending the closure of bars and other establishments that sell alcohol for another week in Johnson and Story counties.
The current proclamation was set to expire Sunday; the new date is October 4th. The original proclamation issued August 27 was to keep bars closed until September 20th, but has now been extended twice.
Reynolds rescinded the order early in Black Hawk, Dallas, Polk and Linn counties, but has continued to keep bars in University of Iowa and Iowa State University closed.
Bars, taverns, wineries, breweries, distilleries, nightclubs, country clubs and other social or fraternal clubs, must be closed to the public, but can sell alcoholic beverages to go. Restaurants who serve at least 51 percent food over alcohol on-site are allowed to be open, but have to stop serving alcohol at 10pm.
The state had over 1000 new cases of coronavirus for the second day in a row for the 24 hour period ending at 11am Friday, but the Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that new cases in Johnson County have started leveling off. The positivity rate of 5.75 percent is the lowest since tracking started.
Story County, the home of Iowa State, had a 26.36 percent positivity rate in the most recent 24 hour period.
Measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus were also extended statewide. That means there must be six feet of distance between each group or individual while dining or drinking, patrons must be seated, and establishments must limit congregating together closer than six feet.
Iowa’s Alcoholic Beverages Division announced Friday another five establishments that have complaints against them for violation of the governor’s proclamation. They include Pour Bastards Pub in Newton, Barefoot Bar in Spirit Lake, Kelly’s Little Nipper in Des Moines, Latitude 41 in Polk City, and Jalapeno Bar & Grill in Eagle Grove. All establishments with complaints against them face civil penalties and have the right to a hearing. Additional complaints could mean suspension or revocation of an establishment’s liquor license.