Today's weather: Thunderstorm with heavy rain
71°/58°
Iowa Governor's Office
Please click here to see the Summary of Enhanced Public Health Measures document outlining details of additional measures Governor Reynolds announced today during a press conference.
Iowa Announces COVID-19 Residential Utility Disruption Prevention Program
Financial Assistance Available to Eligible Low-Income Iowans for COVID-19 Utility Disruption Prevention
DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today announced the launch of the new Residential Utility Disruption Prevention Program. The program will provide eligible households with up to $2,000 towards electric, natural gas and water bills if they are at risk of disconnection due to an inability to pay due to a COVID-19 related loss of income. Payments through the program will be made directly to utility providers and applied to the applicant’s account.
“We are facing an unprecedented pandemic and from the very beginning the state has made it a priority to provide critical assistance to families, farmers, renters, homeowners, and small business owners,” said Gov. Reynolds. “For Iowans who lost their job or saw their paycheck shrink as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Residential Utility Disruption Prevention Program will help them keep the power on and their water running.”
The state allocated approximately $14.5 million of federal CARES Act funds for utility assistance programs (the Small Business Utility Disruption Prevention Program launched in mid-July). To be eligible to receive assistance, a residential electric, natural gas and/or water utility customer must have:
· A primary Iowa residence with active residential utility accounts, renters may apply as long as the utility account is in the applicant’s name;
· An unpaid utility bill balance or have previously entered into a payment plan with their utility provider;
· An annual income that is 80% of the median family income, based on county and household size
· Experienced a COVID-19 loss of income (job loss, reduction in hours, reduction in pay) on or after March 17, 2020 that resulted in hardship in paying bills for electric, natural gas, and/or water utility service provided between March 17, 2020 and October 31, 2020.
“Iowans, especially our low-income citizens have been greatly impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said IEDA and Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham. “We are proud to make available this program offering to help our most vulnerable maintain critical utility services.”
For a full list of eligibility requirements, additional information and to apply, visit iowahousingrecovery.com. Applications will be accepted between October 8, 2020, and November 20, 2020, or until funding is depleted, whichever comes first. Assistance will be awarded based on application completeness and eligibility in order received until all funds have been exhausted.
Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation continuing State Public Health Emergency Declaration
DES MOINES - Today, Gov. Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the Public Health Disaster Emergency for another 30 days.
The proclamation extends public health mitigation measures currently in place for businesses and other establishments. This includes the requirements for bars and restaurants to ensure six feet of physical distance between each group or individual dining or drinking; to ensure all patrons have a seat at a table or bar; and to limit congregating together closer than six feet. Requirements for social distancing, hygiene, and other public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission also remain in place for gyms, casinos, salons, theaters, and other establishments without change.
The proclamation also extends many of the previously issued regulatory relief measures necessary to respond to this public health disaster, including those related to healthcare, professional licensure, educational workforce, and expirations of driver’s licenses.
Some provisions have not been extended, including the suspension of the requirement for retailers to accept empty bottles and cans for redemption of the container deposit. That statutory requirement will resume on July 26, 2020.
The proclamation is now in effect until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration
Today, Governor Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the Public Health Disaster Emergency until June 25, 2020.
As previously announced, the proclamation permits bars, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and social and fraternal clubs may reopen on May 28 with the same public health measures as restaurants in place.
The proclamation also permits the reopening on June 1 of additional establishments, including outdoor performance venues, casinos, bowling alleys, amusement parks, skating rinks, skate parks, outdoor playgrounds.
The proclamation again permits social, community, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings and events of more than 10 people if public health measures are implemented, including limiting attendance to 50% of the venue capacity and maintaining six feet of distance between those attending. This also allows practices, games, and competitions for youth and adult baseball, softball, and individual sports such as running, biking, swimming, tennis, and golf to resume with appropriate public health measures in place.
And the proclamation extends regulatory relief to those affected by this public health emergency until June 25.
Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration
DES MOINES - Today, Governor Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the Public Health Disaster Emergency. The proclamation permits summer school activities, including baseball and softball, to resume on June 1. And effective this Friday, May 22, Movie theaters, zoos, aquariums, museums, and wedding reception venues will be permitted to reopen with appropriate public health measures in place. Swimming pools will also be permitted to reopen for lap swimming and swimming lessons.
Governor Reynolds also announced that next Thursday, May 28, bars and other alcohol-related establishments that have been limited to carryout and delivery will be permitted to reopen for indoor or outdoor seating. These establishments will follow the same public health measures that restaurants have been implementing for the past several weeks.
The proclamation also provides additional regulatory relief to those affected by this disaster and continues to strongly encourages all vulnerable Iowans, including those with preexisting medical conditions and those older than 65, in all counties of the state to continue to limit their activities outside of their home, including their visits to businesses and other establishments and their participation in gatherings of any size and any purpose
Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation continuing State Public Health Emergency Declaration
05/13/2020
Governor Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the Public Health Disaster Emergency. The proclamation permits salons, barbershops, and massage and tattoo establishments to reopen throughout Iowa in a limited fashion with appropriate public health measures in place. It also permits restaurants (but not bars), fitness centers, libraries, and race tracks to reopen in the 22 counties where they have remained closed. These changes are effective at 5:00 a.m. on Friday, May 15.
The proclamation continues the other ongoing closures and public health measures, including the prohibition on social, community, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings and events of more than 10 people, until 11:59 p.m. on May 27, 2020.
It also strongly encourages all vulnerable Iowans, including those with preexisting medical conditions and those older than 65, in all counties of the state to continue to limit their activities outside of their home, including their visits to businesses and other establishments and their participation in gatherings of any size and any purpose.
Governor Reynolds is requesting that every Iowan take the assessment regardless of symptoms or lack thereof.
In Iowa, we take care of each other, and COVID-19 can show us the power we have when we work together. The best thing you can do right now to stop the spread and save lives is take a health assessment so we can better understand what is currently going on in Iowa.
What is TestIowa?
TestIowa is a new initiative in partnership with our state leaders and private corporations. Our goal is to dramatically increase the rate of COVID-19 testing so Iowans can have better access to testing and help stem the spread of COVID-19 to get us back to normal as quickly as possible.
Why is it important to consider testing?
The sooner we can identify COVID-19 cases, the sooner we can get back to our normal way of life.
In addition to social distancing, widespread testing is a proven, effective way to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Testing gives us crucial data that we need to track the spread of the virus, contain it, and to help find a cure and save lives.
How do I get tested?
Drive-through test locations can accommodate up to 3,000 tests per day.
Get started with three simple steps:
1 ASSESS
Answer a few questions to determine your current risk and provide the Iowa Department of Public Health and government leaders insight into our collective health. You’ll also receive accurate, evidence-based information on COVID-19.
2 TEST
We can’t test everyone, but we’ll prioritize testing for those who currently have symptoms, have interacted with someone who has already tested positive, or have recently visited places where COVID-19 is more widespread. We’ll confirm a time slot for your test and direct you to a drive-through testing location.
3 TRACK
If you’ve tested positive, we’ll ask you to answer some questions to help isolate the infection rate; for example, who you might have been in contact with and where you have traveled recently.
Iowa Small Business Relief Tax Deferral Program still accepting applications
Des Moines, Iowa – On March 23, Governor Kim Reynolds announced a new Iowa Small Business Relief Program to support the state’s small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program offered small business relief grants, administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. It also offered businesses a tax deferral of sales and/or withholding taxes due and waiver of penalty and interest, administered by the Iowa Department of Revenue.
“The Department of Revenue continues to take applications for tax deferrals,” said Director Kraig Paulsen. The tax deferral is available to employers and businesses of all sizes impacted by COVID-19. The Department expects to keep the application process open through April 30. Information about the program and the application is located at tax.iowa.gov/COVID-19, including answers to frequently asked questions.
The Department has received more than 5,700 tax deferral applications and will review each application to determine deferral eligibility. It expects to approve 2,300 applications this week and notify the applicants by mail. Review will continue until all applications have been vetted.
For any sales and/or withholding tax filing due during the period beginning March 20, 2020, through the close of business on April 30, 2020, the tax deferral provides an additional 60 days from the original due date to file your tax return and remit your tax payment. Penalty associated with sales and/or withholding tax filings due during the period beginning March 20, 2020, through close of business on April 30, 2020, will be waived. Interest is waived for 60 days from the date your tax return was due. If a payment has not been made within those 60 days, interest will begin to accrue on the outstanding balance due on the first day of the calendar month after the 60th day.
Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation continuing State Public Health Emergency Declaration, ordering additional closures
DES MOINES - Today, Gov. Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration, ordering additional closures and relaxing additional regulations to support the state’s efforts to combat COVID-19. The proclamation also calls on law enforcement to assist in the enforcement of these mitigation efforts. Gov. Reynolds discussed the new proclamation at her 11:00 a.m. press conference. View that press conference on her Facebook page here.
To encourage further social distancing and mitigation efforts, the proclamation orders additional closures effective at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7th until Thursday, April 30th:
Malls
Tobacco or vaping stores
Toy, gaming, music, instrument, movie, or adult entertainment stores
Social and fraternal clubs, including those at golf courses
Bingo halls, bowling alleys, pool halls, arcades, and amusement parks
Museums, libraries, aquariums, and zoos
Race tracks and speedway.
Roller or ice skating rinks and skate parks
Outdoor or indoor playgrounds or children’s play centers
Campgrounds
In addition, all unsolicited door-to-door sales are prohibited.
The following establishments and behaviors that are already prohibited:
Mass gatherings as outlined in the proclamation below
Restaurants and bars limited to carry out.
Fitness centers
Swimming pools
Salons: All salons, including all establishments providing the services of cosmetology, electrology, esthetics, nail technology, manicuring, and pedicuring, all as defined in Iowa Code § 157.1, shall continue to be closed.
Medical spas
Barbershops
Tattoo establishments
Tanning facilities
Massage therapy establishments
Theaters: All theaters or other performance venues at which live performances or motion pictures are shown shall continue to be closed.
Casinos and gaming facilities:
Other nonessential retail establishments outlined in the proclamation: Bookstores; clothing stores; shoe stores; jewelry stores; luggage stores; cosmetic, beauty, or perfume stores; florists; and furniture and home furnishing stores shall continue to be closed. These establishments may still serve the public through online or telephone sales, delivery, or curb-side pick-up. This closure order does not affect other retail establishments, such as discount stores, grocery stores, or pharmacies that sell these goods in addition to other essential food, medical supplies, and household goods. Senior citizen centers and adult daycare facilities: All facilities that conduct adult day services or other senior citizen centers are hereby closed.
Social, community, spiritual, religious, recreational, leisure, and sporting gatherings and events of more than 10 people are hereby prohibited at all locations and venues, including but not limited to parades, festivals, conventions, and fundraisers
Livestock auctions of food animals with more than 25 people and all other auctions with more than 10 people are prohibited.
The full text of the proclamation can be read below and viewed online:
