The Iowa governor overturns state COVID-19 restrictions

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Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a new health proclamation Friday that relaxed many of COVID-19’s existing state regulations.

Policy reversals in the proclamation on public health disasters include the elimination of indoor mask requirements in public spaces and the requirements of social distancing that previously regulated the boundaries of social gatherings and business. The new policies come into force on Sunday at 12:01, KCCI reports.

In the document, Reynolds states: “I strongly encourage all businesses or other employers to remain open with in-person operations to take reasonable steps in the circumstances of each unit to ensure the health of employees, customers and members of the public, including social distance hygiene practices. and other public health measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. “

Reynolds’ office said in a statement that the new measures would “continue the exemption from critical regulation for those on the fronts of the COVID19 recovery for another 30 days”.

It remains unclear why Reynolds decided to loosen coronavirus restrictions, and the governor’s office did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.

Shortly after the announcement, “CovidKim” began to be on trend on Twitter, as social media users criticized the governor’s actions.

Although the state has seen a decline in coronavirus cases in recent months, 804 confirmed cases were registered new on Friday morning, Des Moines Register reported.

According to the Iowa Department of Health, the state has experienced 323,516 cases of coronavirus and 5,067 deaths from the virus since the pandemic began. In the last seven days, 7.1% of the tests came back positive.

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