COVID-19 Recent News 

Governor Reynolds will be holding daily press-conferences at 2:30 p.m.  These are generally viewable on Governor Reynold's Facebook page (got to the "Videos" tab to see all posted recordings"), Iowa Public Broadcasting, and various other Iowa news outlets.

Click To View the Latest New Releases:


Highlights

April 16, 2020
Governor Reynolds issues order for additional social distancing restrictions in RMCC Region 6. Click here to review. 
April 10, 2020

IDPH issues PPE shortage order.  Click here to view the order. 

April 9, 2020

Iowa Legislature officially extends adjournment of session to April 30.

On Thursday, the Iowa Legislative Council held a teleconference to discuss extending the date of adjournment.  The Legislative Council is a Leadership Committee of the Iowa General Assembly, consisting of 24 members of both parties.  Officially, the Council voted to extend adjournment from April 15 at 10:00 a.m. to April 30 at 10:00 a.m.  This is consistent with the Governor’s latest Proclamation extending business and school closures and limiting gatherings of more than 10 people to April 30.  The Council acknowledged that the Proclamation could be extended even further.

Senate Majority Leader Whitver said if the legislature can resume on April 30, there will be more opportunity to pursue existing policy agendas. However, if the date is pushed back further, it will likely be a more expedited session.  Concerns about the budget are dependent upon an analysis of federal funding and the impacts to the state from the current situation.

April 6, 2019 -

Governor Reynolds Issues New Provolamation of Disaster Emergency: On April 6, Governor Reynolds issued an additional Proclamation of Disaster Emergency.

The Proclamation orders the following additional business closures effective at 8:00 a.m. on April 7, 2020:

  • Malls – all enclosed malls
  • Tobacco or Vaping stores
  • Toy, gaming, music, instrument, movie and adult entertainment stores
  • Social and fraternal clubs – including American Legion, VFW posts, Elks Clubs, country clubs and golf course clubhouses
  • Amusements – bingo halls, bowling alleys, pool halls, arcades, amusement parks
  • Museums, libraries, aquariums, zoos
  • Racetracks
  • Skating rinks and skate parks
  • Playgrounds – ALL outdoor and indoor playgrounds or children’s play centers
  • Campgrounds  - all private and public campgrounds closed
  • Door-to-Door sales – all prohibited

Section 6 of the Proclamation asks that all peace officers of the state are called upon to assist in the enforcement of the Proclamation.

April 2, 2020

  • Governor Reynolds Signs New Proclamation - Click here to read more. On April 2, 2020, Governor Reynolds signed a new Proclamation continuing her earlier State Public Health Emergency Declaration.  The new proclamation basically extends the end dates for earlier proclamations from to April 30.

March 30, 2020

March 29, 2020

March 27, 2020

March 26, 2020

  • Governor Reynolds extends existing closure orders until April 7, 2020. 
  • Senate passes $2 Trillion Aid Package, sends to the House. Click here to read more.

March 23, 2020 - This morning the State of Iowa unveiled a new website to provide information on coronavirus in the state of Iowa. Click here to view.

As of Monday morning (3/23), Iowa has a total of 105 cases with 15 new cases today. There have been a total of 2,043 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs. 

The Governor issued the State’s third Public Health Disaster Emergency Declaration on Sunday March 22.  The Declaration does the following:

  • Closes salons, medical spas, barbershops, tattoo establishment, tanning facilities, massage facilities and swimming pools
  • Suspends all foreclosures on residential, commercial, and agricultural real property
  • Provides licensing relief to remove barriers for medical professionals and prevents expiration of licenses – the following rules are suspended:
    • Related to the practice of medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, nursing, respiratory care, and practice as a physician assistant if an individual has not yet obtained an initial license, if licensing board determines individual has completed sufficient education and should be granted an emergency license to practice. 
    • The practice of pharmacy by a pharmacist with an inactive license which has lapsed within the last five years and limited pharmacy technician trainees who are unable to nationally certified due to closed testing locations.
    • Completion of clinical, practical or internship experience as a condition of obtaining professional licensure for school administrator, mental health counselor, independent social worker, psychologist, pharmacist, speech pathologist or audiologist.  
    • Completion of background checks for initial applicants for obtaining professional licensure
    • Requiring an applicant for a nursing license to complete an examination within 91 days of board authorization
    • For an applicant for a pharmacist license to complete all Iowa components within one year from the date the candidate passed the initial component
    • To the extent they require out-of-state marital, family therapy, and mental health counselors or social workers who provide services by telephone or other electronic means to people in Iowa to be licensed in Iowa
    • To the extent they require the physical presence of a witness if the witness can see or hear through any electronic means

March 18, 2020

Governor Reynolds Signs Legislation Expanding the Role of Physician's Assistants. Click here to read more. 

DHS Has Submitted Amendment K - Director Randol reported that Iowa submitted amendment K this morning, which is the official means for obtaining increased flexibility in multiple facets of the Medicaid program in Iowa. 


March 17, 2020 - Governor Reynolds Signs SF 2408

Today, Governor Kim Reynolds signed SF 2408, legislation that creates emergency measures and supplemental appropriations for key government services to combat the spread of COVID-19. 

SF 2408 Supplemental appropriations and emergency measurers 

  • Supplemental appropriations for Medicaid ($88.98 million) 
  • Supplemental appropriations other health programs ($1.8 million) 
  • Supplemental appropriations for state hygienic lab ($525,000). 
  • Limits some standing appropriations (non-public school transportation, instructional support, AEA funding). 
  • Requires DOM and the LSA to review FY 2020 appropriations and to make appropriations for the first two months of FY 2021. 
  • Transfers: Includes exemptions from transfer rules. EEF: Makes emergency appropriations from the EEF of up to 10% to the DOM for purposes approved by the Governor, through August 31. Includes various repeal dates. Schools: Authorizes the Governor to waive school instructional time requirements for schools that close due to the COVID-19 virus. 

To read more on this measure and the contents of the legislation, click here.