Governor announces new statewide mask order

Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday announced new COVID-19 mitigation protocols that include a facemask mandate under certain circumstances.

The rules require individuals in groups of more than 25 people gathering indoors to wear masks. Exceptions are granted to children under the age of 2, and to people who are eating or drinking.

Reynolds has pushed back against a facemask mandate since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming they are unenforceable. Several states have mandates in public spaces or group gatherings.

"You can still eat in a restaurant, you can still go to a movie and work out at the gym. In many states you can't do that," Reynolds said at a Tuesday press conference. "Iowa is open for business, and we intend to keep it that way. That's why it's time for these additional mitigation measures, but it will take all of us doing everything we can to stop the spread of the virus and keep it at a manageable level that we can live with."

The new rules took effect Wednesday and run through Nov. 30. Additionally, individuals at outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people must wear masks with the same exceptions noted previously. Groups of more than 10 people also must maintain a six-foot distance between themselves and take other reasonable measures to ensure social distancing and increased hygiene.

Youth and high school sporting events were also included in the governor's proclamation. If more than 25 people are indoors, all spectators must wear masks and maintain six feet of separation from others in attendance. Only two spectators will be permitted for each youth athlete, but athletes of any age can be closer than six feet and are not required to be masked.

Groups at restaurants and bars are now limited to eight people unless the group is all from the same household. People must be seated when eating or drinking, and establishments are instructed to limit congregating.

Additionally, patrons at salons, barbershops, massage therapy establishments, tattoo parlors and tanning facilities must wear masks unless facial services are being performed.

Finally, Reynolds is requiring all business owners to evaluate whether their employees can work from home and take steps to accommodate the remote setup. Businesses that continue to operate under normal circumstances are asked to take reasonable precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• Hospitals slammed as virus ravages Iowa

The new protocol comes in light of a surge of coronavirus-related hospitalizations in Iowa. As of the last updated report Monday, 1,135 Iowans were hospitalized with COVID-19 complications, up from 730 the same time last week. Many hospitals were at or near capacity.

O'Brien County's two-week positivity rate has continued to climb over the past seven days. It was at 25.5 percent Wednesday morning, up from 24.8 percent last week. It was the 19th-highest positivity rate in the state, while Clay County ranked No. 58 with 20.4 percent. That figure is up from 11.3 percent last week. The statewide positivity rate was 21.4 percent.

O'Brien County was up five coronavirus-related deaths from last week to bring its total to 20. Clay County was unchanged at four. Statewide, there have been 1,898 COVID-19 deaths, an increase of 118 from last week.

O'Brien County has had 1,024 COVID-19 cases since March, up from 837 last week. Clay County had 790, and increase of 182 infections from the previous week. Statewide there have been 166,021 cases, up 31,785 from Nov. 4.

O'Brien County has recorded 532 recoveries while Clay County has tallied 448. Statewide, there have been 104,211 recoveries since the pandemic began.

Outbreaks at two long-term care facilities in O'Brien County continue. Prairie View Campus in Sanborn has had 39 cases and 23 recoveries, while Sanford Senior Care – Sheldon has recorded 13 cases and no recoveries.