Marion County Supervisor Mark Raymie and Marion County Public Health Director Kim Dorn, held a COVID-19 informative press conference Monday updating the residents on the current COVID-19 threat in the county as well as followed up with residents following Governor Kim Reynolds Proclamations reopening up certain businesses and services in 77 counties that includes Marion County. The Governor’s Proclamation loosens social distancing measures in Marion County effective Friday, May 1st and continues other restrictions until 11:50 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2020.
The proclamation permits restaurants, fitness centers, malls, libraries, race tracks, and certain other retail establishments to reopen in a limited fashion with public health measures in place. In addition, the proclamation lifts the restriction on religious and spiritual gatherings so long as churches and other gathering hosts implement reasonable public health measures. All other regulatory relief previously provided to affected Iowans is also extended until Wednesday, May 27, 2020.
Dorn reiterated to the residents that despite the reopening of certain businesses, the governor encourages residents to continue with social distancing measures. She says all vulnerable Iowans including those with preexisting conditions and those older than 65 in all counties should continue to limit their activities outside of their homes. Dorn says she understands that many older residents appreciate the ability to be able to go to church, but people still need to be cautious because she says if churches tell residents to come, she is worried we could have problems in the county and the governor could close down those businesses once again.
Currently Marion County has 3 active cases of COVID-19 in the county with four other cases in which the infected person has recovered from the disease for a total of 7 confirmed cases. No one in Marion County has died from COVID-19. Marion County will continue to hold informative press conferences for the foreseeable future with the next scheduled for Friday, May 1st at 1 p.m. Each press conference will be aired live on 92.1 KRLS and 95.3 KNIA and reaired at 6 p.m
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