• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Sunday, January 29, 2023
The Iowa Torch
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
The Iowa Torch
The Iowa Torch
No Result
View All Result
Home Local Government

Des Moines ends mask mandate for city buildings

Masks will no longer be required in Des Moines City buildings, City Manager Scott Sanders announced after the CDC relaxed mask guidelines for communities.

Iowa TorchbyIowa Torch
February 28, 2022
in Local Government
Reading Time: 2 mins read

Photo by Shane Vander Hart

DES MOINES, Iowa – Masks will no longer be required in Des Moines’ city government-controlled buildings. City Manager Scott Sanders announced the change on Monday after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relaxed mask guidelines for communities and lowered the risk category for Polk County.

RELATED POSTS

Des Moines City Council opts out of abortion debate

Polk County may increase housing assessments by 22 percent

Spirit Lake School Board approves measure to arm school staff

“We are lifting the mask requirement because of the ‘low’ risk level that CDC has designated to Polk County, however, we still ask  residents and employees to stay at home if they are sick or experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19,” Sanders said.

Last week, the CDC released COVID-19 Community Levels – a new tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data.  Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.

CDC’s new interactive map places Polk County’s COVID-19 Community Level – and that of 42 other Iowa counites – at ‘low.’  The CDC lists 41 Iowa counties in the medium risk category with 15 designated in the ‘high’ category.

Des Moines masking requirement for city government buildings went into effect in August 2021.

Update: Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague on Monday also lifted his city’s local mask order and emergency proclamation, effective immediately.

ADVERTISEMENT

“New cases of COVID-19 are decreasing and hospitalizations due to the illness continue to fall,” Teague said. “I ask the entire Iowa City community to continue to do your part to prevent the spread of this disease. Make responsible choices. Isolate or quarantine when necessary. And wear a mask if you’re a risk to others.”

The CDC lists Johnson County as “Medium” on it’s COVID-19 Community Level ratings. At a “Medium” Community Level, community members are encouraged to get tested if they have symptoms and stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations. Those who are at high risk for severe illness are encouraged to talk with their health care provided about whether masks or other precautions are necessary.

Tags: Bruce TeagueCenters for Disease Control and PreventionCOVID-19Des MoinesIowa Citymask mandatesScott Sanders
ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Reynolds orders IABD to remove Russian-produced alcohol from purchase list

Next Post

Smith files for State Treasurer race

Iowa Torch

Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans.

Related Posts

Ernst Expresses Concern About Trump’s Upcoming Senate Impeachment Trial
Opinion

Ernst: Let’s defund EcoHealth.

October 18, 2022
Miller-Meeks Asks If Feds Are Prepared to Support States, Cities Fight Cyber-Attacks
Opinion

Miller-Meeks: Reaffirming my commitment to school choice

September 23, 2022
photo of man leaning on wooden table
Opinion

Miller Meeks: Mental health is a bipartisan issue

September 12, 2022
Ernst: This Small Business Saturday, Continue to Find Ways to #ShopLocal
News

Iowa ranks third in lower 48 for pandemic recovery

July 21, 2022
Cedar Rapids brings back mask mandate for city buildings
Local Government

Cedar Rapids brings back mask mandate for city buildings

July 20, 2022
Laura Baumgartner appointed as City Clerk for Des Moines
Local Government

Laura Baumgartner appointed as City Clerk for Des Moines

July 19, 2022
Next Post
Smith files for State Treasurer race

Smith files for State Treasurer race

Hinson shares Iowans' stories before State of the Union address

Sign-Up For Our Daily Updates

Get The Iowa Torch right in your inbox!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Recommended Articles

Miller-Meeks Will Run for Re-Election in New Iowa 1st Congressional District

November 11, 2021
blue and yellow ukrainian flag waving above crowd of people

Miller-Meeks: A badge of honor

May 2, 2022

State Objection Panel keeps Miller, Finkenauer on ballot after petition signature challenges

March 29, 2022

Popular Stories

  • Reynolds signs bill creating education savings accounts

    Reynolds signs bill creating education savings accounts

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Miller-Meeks: Improving American healthcare

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Local Rap Artist’s Non-Profit Receives Grant to Help At-Risk Youth Graduate

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iowa House Republicans outline priorities with first 13 bills

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iowa Senate Passes Governor’s School Choice Bill

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

The Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans

Categories

  • Education
  • Federal Government
  • Iowa History
  • Local Government
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • State Government
  • Uncategorized
  • Uncategorized

Newsletter

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.