By Beacon Staff
Burlington is slowly chugging back to life, shimmying with the fits and starts of an economy primed by loosening restrictions.
That means in-person religious services are back in session, at least for one local entity.
Sporting the slogan “Hope Is Not Canceled,” the Burlington Salvation Army is holding its first in-person church service since Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds put the state on partial lockdown to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday (May 17) at the Salvation Army Chapel inside the new headquarters building. Social distancing rules will apply. Those who feel ill are asked to stay home and live stream the service instead. Parishioners are asked to bring their Bible, even if it’s a digital phone version, to avoid sharing with others.
The Art Center
A few days later, The Art Center on Jefferson Street in Burlington will open its doors and host its first art exhibit since the partial lockdown — a showcase of paintings by Wisconsin artist “Oil Painter Annie.” The Art Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. next Saturday, May 23.
The exhibit, titled “Earthly Dreams and Tactile Skies,” will go up May 19 and stay on display through the end of the month. Social distancing rules apply, and patrons are encouraged to wear masks inside the building.
Other aspects of local life are stirring more slowly and uncertainly, or in some cases, not at all.
Des Moines County Courthouse
The Des Moines County Courthouse remains closed to the public, though services are available by appointment, via phone, or online. Reynolds has not issued guidance on when courthouses may reopen. In-person hearings at the courthouse in downtown Burlington are expected to resume in June, with trials to return in mid-July.
The Social Security office also remains closed for face-to-face appointments but can be contacted via phone or email.
Burlington Public Library
The Burlington Public Library remains open digitally, but for now, there is no set date for the building to open the public.
In a statement issued Wednesday, library officials said they are working toward that reopening.
“As the state begins a reopening process, your Burlington Public Library staff is retrofitting our spaces to meet social distancing guidelines, ensuring we have the necessary protective equipment, sanitizing supplies, updating procedures in place for your protection, and preparing new low- and no-contact service models,” the statement reads.
County Fair
As of now, the Des Moines County Fair, as well as the Lee County Fair, are still on track for mid-summer. Applications for fair queen contestants are already being accepted for both fairs.
But as fair organizers noted, that could change quickly, depending on guidance from the state. The governor said she has yet to decide county fairs or the Iowa State Fair.
Great River Medical Center
Though Great River Medical Center in West Burlington never fully closed, other aspects of hospital services that were suspended will resume this weekend. That includes outpatient occupational, physical and speech therapy, mammography, and DEXA bone-density screening. Elective surgeries and dentist appointments were allowed starting three weeks ago.
“Our plan is to reopen services slowly,” said GRMC Chief of Clinical Operations Teresa Colgan. “Following CDC and Iowa Department of Public Health guidelines, we will maintain social distancing by staggering appointments to reduce the number of patients in waiting rooms, and seating will be at least six feet apart.”
Masks are required.
IAAAP Memorial Day Service
The annual military service to honor America’s fallen veterans at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant has been canceled due to the pandemic, though plant officials are offering an alternative to the service.
Lt. Colonel Eric J. Schilling will be available to meet with families for a moment of remembrance on Thursday, May 21, anytime between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Families who wish to join Schilling at IAAAP’s Eagle Park Memorial, located just inside Gate 4 in Middletown, are asked to RSVP to (319) 753-7001 by Tuesday, May 19.
Participating families will be required to adhere to all COVID-19 precautions currently in place at IAAAP. That includes wearing cloth face masks/coverings, complying with visitor temperature checks, and practicing social distancing.
The Mall
Westland Mall in West Burlington was allowed to re-open last Friday, but few businesses inside were ready to follow suit that same weekend.
That has changed over the past week, and even more, businesses are expected to reopen in the mall over the next week. That includes mall anchor store Marshall’s, which is expected to reopen Monday, May 18.
The theater will not reopen, and at this time, Gov. Reynolds has not provided a date as to when theaters will be allowed to show movies again. A list of mall openings, which is constantly in flux, is available on the Westland Mall Facebook page.
Patrons are encouraged to wear a mask, and mall-walking is still suspended.
Pzazz Entertainment Complex
Per the governor’s orders, casinos, bars (that don’t serve food), arcades, and other amusements will stay closed, including Catfish Bend Casino and FunCity.
Local Restaurants
Though some Des Moines County restaurants will be opening their dining areas to 50 percent capacity this week, several with smaller dining areas will not. That includes downtown eateries such as La Tavola, Napoli’s, and Orange Ember, all of which will offer food remotely. Bent River Brewing will also keep its dining area closed.
Closures and reopenings for locals restaurants shift daily, and most establishments provide updates on their respective Facebook pages.
Beacon File Photo
Westland Mall in West Burlington is shown on April 12 during a drive-and-park Easter service.