Capacity limits end for most Iowa businesses Friday

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced in a Wednesday press conference that she will be ending capacity limits for most businesses beginning on Friday. Businesses are now permitted to allow as many people in their buildings while still reasonably following the Iowa Department of Public Health's guidelines regarding physical distancing, increased hygeine practices, and other public health measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission.

"Eliminating the capacity restrictions will allow businesses the flexibility to adjust their specific operations accordingly to best meet the needs of their employees and customers," Reynolds said.

Swimming pools will also be permitted to open Friday under similar guidelines, as well as senior centers and adult daycare programs.

"These changes are the result of the positive forward momentum that we're generating in Iowa, and we must keep it going," Reynolds said. "... The consistent downward trends in positive cases and hospitalizations that were experienced for the last month allow us to confidently take addition steps forward. ... COVID-19 will remain in our communities for a while, but we also know what we can do to effectively mitigate, manage and contain it while we safely and responsibly move forward with life."

As of 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the state reports 8,954 active cases of COVID-19, with 13,566 flagged as recovered. There have been 628 deaths associated with COVID-19 in the state. Butler County Public Health reported that as of yesterday, there is only one active case of COVID-19 in the county - 13 others that tested positive have recovered and two have died.