Governor Closes All Bars in Johnson and Five Other Counties as COVID-19 Cases Spike

Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she signed a new public health disaster proclamation in response to dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases over the last 14 days. This morning, the state reported a new record high in daily COVID-19 cases with 1,349 cases.

In light of this and the upcoming flu season, Reynolds said all bars, taverns, breweries and nightclubs will have to close in Johnson, Linn, Black Hawk, Dallas, Linn, Polk and Story counties. Restaurants that serve alcohol will be allowed to remain open, but must stop serving alcohol after 10 p.m. These actions go into effect today at 5 p.m. and go through Sept. 20, 2020. The full proclamation is available online.

Still in effect is Reynolds’proclamations requiring that Iowans hosting social gatherings of more than 10 people must ensure that those attending maintain 6 feet of social distancing, and the Johnson County-wide mandate that the public wear masking in most situations outside their own homes.