Navigating Mask Mandates

Aug 20, 2021 | All Business Resources, All News & Events

Please see the following new mask order from Iowa City Mayor, Bruce Teague. The nuance of this most recent order is that it is a mandate for individuals in Iowa City, not for businesses or venues. Therefore, enforcement is not placed on the business community. It is still within your right whether to require all patrons to wear masks before entering your private establishment. We have created printable door signage options (General and Downtown Iowa City) that correspond with the mandate.
Currently the City of Coralville, City of North Liberty, and Johnson County are requiring face coverings to be worn in city/county facilities regardless of vaccination status per the guidance of the CDC and Johnson County Public Health.
For the latest COVID-19 update, we recommend watching the webinar the United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties recorded on August 19, with local experts discussing the Delta variant, vaccines, and masking.
While we know the direction from different jurisdictions is confusing, we hope you’ll join us in keeping a positive overall community message of keeping up with mitigation efforts and to encourage everyone who can to get vaccinated.
Summary of the City of Iowa City Mask Order, August 19, 2021
Mayor Bruce Teague has issued an order that, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the spread of the Delta variant, every person in the City of Iowa City must wear a face covering when in a public space.
The order took effect at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. The order will expire on September 30, 2021, unless otherwise extended.
Every person in the City of Iowa City must wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth when in a public place as follows:
  • In public, as opposed to being in one’s place of residence, when one cannot stay six (6) feet away from others
  • Inside any indoor public settings, for example, but not limited to:
  • Grocery stores
  • Pharmacies
  • Hardware stores
  • Retail stores
  • Restaurants and bars
  • Public school buildings
  • Government buildings
  • University of Iowa academic buildings and business offices
  • Houses of worship
  • Movie theaters
  • Outside, if keeping six feet away from others is not possible
  • Using public transportation or private car service (including taxis, ride share, or carpooling)
The order states that Chapter 364 of the Iowa Code reaffirms the constitutional grant of home rule authority to municipalities “to exercise any power and perform any function it deems appropriate to protect and preserve the rights, privileges and property of the city or its residents, and improve the peace, safety, health, welfare and convenience of its residents.”
The full orderlist of exemptions, and proclamation may be read online.

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