By Beacon Staff
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced more business closures to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), stopping short of implementing a shelter in place order for the state.
On Monday, Reynolds added to the list of business closures through April 30. However, most of the businesses on Monday's list have already been closed due to fears about the spread of COVID-19.
“I know that I've asked a lot of Iowans over the course of the last month,” she said during the 11 a.m. Monday press conference. “And today, I'm asking more.”
New closures include:
• Malls
• Social and fraternal clubs
• Bingo halls
•.Bowling alleys
• Pool halls
• Zoos
• Arcades
• Amusement parks
• Libraries
• Skating rinks and skate parks
• Outdoor/indoor playgrounds and children's play centers
• Race tracks
• Tobacco and vaping stores
• Toy, music, gaming, instrument and movie stores
• Campgrounds
Anyone not following the guidelines, specifically those not limiting social gatherings to fewer than 10 people, will be cited with a simple misdemeanor.
At Monday's press conference, Reynolds announced 78 additional cases of COVID-19 in Iowa, totaling 946 positive cases to date.
Another three people with COVID-19 have died, bringing the total in the state to 25 people as of Monday. Two of the people who died were from Tama County. The third person lived in Linn County.
Last week, the Iowa Board of Medicine unanimously voted to request that Reynolds issue a statewide shelter in place order, sending a letter to the governor.
Reynolds has said that implementing a shelter in place order is not required right now based on the data the state is using to evaluate the next steps for mitigation efforts.