Lang
8/19/21
Iowa City mayor Bruce Teague has issued an order requiring every person in the city of Iowa City to wear a face covering when in a public space.
The announcement was made in a Thursday night news release from the city. It cites the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the spread of the Delta variant.
The order takes effect at 11:59pm Thursday (8/19) and will expire on Sept. 30th unless otherwise extended.
According to the mandate, every person in the city of Iowa City must wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth when in a public place. That includes anywhere outdoors in public when one cannot stay six (6) feet away from others.
It also includes any indoor public settings, including but not limited to:
- Grocery stores
- Pharmacies
- Hardware stores
- Retail stores
- Restaurants and bars
- Public school buildings
- Government buildings
- University of Iowa academic buildings and business offices
- Houses of worship
- Movie theaters
- And while using public transportation or a private car service (including taxis, ride share, or carpooling).
The order cites Iowa Code Chapter 364, which gives municipalities the power to “perform any function it deems appropriate to protect and preserve the rights, privileges and property of the city or its residents, and improve the peace, safety, health, welfare and convenience of its residents.”
A recently-passed Iowa law prohibits cities from enacting their own mask mandates independent of the state.
Teague has also issued a proclamation of Civil Emergency, again citing the growing risk of the Delta variant.
The full order and proclamation can be read online.