By Beacon Staff
Casino dice will roll next Monday. Baseballs will soar once again. Crowds of more than 10 people will legally be allowed to gather.
Beginning on Tuesday, June 2, Iowans will even get to listen to live bands inside a bar again.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds rolled back additional COVID-19 related restrictions Tuesday morning, allowing casinos and amusement parks to reopen next Monday, June 1.
Gaming facilities, bowling alleys, pool halls, and arcades can also reopen June 1, and beginning this Thursday, May 28, bar owners will be allowed to open their doors again.
Racetracks will also be reopening to spectators (at half capacity) June 1, and 34 Raceway just hosted its first race in nine months this past weekend – without a crowd. An announcement about USAC Racing tickets and pit entry sales is slated for tonight on the 34 Raceway Facebook page.
Gary Hoyer, CEO of Great River Entertainment, confirmed to The Beacon that Catfish Bend Casino will be reopening on June 1. The FunCity complex attached to the casino also houses an arcade and bowling alley that is eligible to reopen, though no statement has been issued about FunCity. Hoyer plans on releasing further details later today.
No statement has been issued about the possible return of minor league baseball. Burlington Bees General Manager Kim Parker said she is waiting to hear from Major League Baseball to determine if there will be a 2020 minor league season at all. Until then, no baseball is scheduled.
Sports, recreational activities, leisure, and gatherings of more than 10 are now allowed. Youth and adult events such as baseball, softball, running, biking, tennis, swimming are allowed again as well, though groups and individuals attending must maintain six feet of distance.
Swimming is still tightly restricted, however, which means no pool parties or broad public access in the immediate future. Officials with the West Burlington pool confirmed as much shortly after the governor’s press conference.
“Per Governor Reynolds, pools are only allowed for limited purpose at this time (specifically lap swim and swim lessons). Unfortunately, we are still awaiting more information before we are able to make a decision with regards to our opening,” reads a Facebook post of the West Burlington pool.
Movie theaters are already allowed to reopen, but due to the lack of films, it could still be a little while before the theater inside Westland Mall in West Burlington opens back up to the public. The Fox Theater in Fort Madison also has yet to reopen due to lack of films, though the owners are working to provide a film schedule in the coming weeks.
Westland Mall itself is open, however, as are many of the stores within it.
“The first new movie is not until July 1, so we looking at late June (for reopening), but that could change,” reads a Facebook statement from the Westland Mall.
Reynolds said Tuesday that the state's existing disaster emergency proclamation will be extended through June 25, and more restrictions will be relaxed in the coming weeks.
Reynolds did warn that if Iowans are being irresponsible or if COVID-19 cases spike again, restrictions could be put back in place. The death toll, which is updated several times a day, currently sits at 476. That includes one death in Des Moines County and one death in Henry County.
“That privilege comes with the responsibility of ensuring you’re doing the right thing to protect your health and the health of people you care about,” Reynolds said Tuesday.