Businesses across Iowa received postive news from Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday, as COVID-19 restrictions will be relaxed statewide beginning Friday.
Though an announcement was expected Tuesday, Reynolds said she was still looking over the numbers and finalizing Iowa's next steps.
"I know that Iowans and businesses are eager to know what's next. But as I've said all along, these decisions must be made carefully and driven by data, and I look forward to providing that update tomorrow," Reynolds said.
Right now, only certain businesses statewide—such as gyms, tanning facilities and malls—can resume operations, but at a reduced capacity.
That will change on Friday, as hair salons, gyms and tattoo parlors will be able to operate with limited capacity statewide. Restaurants are also included, but bars must remain closed.
As of Wednesday, 306 Iowans have died and 13,289 have tested positive.
1-in-37 Iowans have been tested, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.
May 13, 2020
WATCH: Gov. Kim Reynolds' full press conference for May 13, 2020
Iowa legislature to resume session June 3
Leadership in both the Iowa House and Senate announced that the legislature will resume Wednesday, June 3 at 9 a.m.
“Suspending the Legislative session was necessary to ensure Iowa’s health care infrastructure was not overwhelmed,” said Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Ankeny said in a statement. “It is now time for the Senate to resume its constitutional duty to represent the people of Iowa, implement policy priorities, and pass a conservative budget to fund the necessary functions of government.”
The 2020 legislative session was suspended beginning March 16 due to the spread of COVID-19.
US meat exports surge, but industry struggles to satisfy demand
U.S. meat exports are surging even as the industry is struggling to meet domestic demand because of coronavirus outbreaks at processing plants that have sickened hundreds of workers and caused companies to scramble to improve conditions.
Although the situation could cause concern that American workers are risking their health to meet foreign demand, experts say it shouldn't because much of the meat sold to other countries is cuts that Americans generally don't eat. And at least one of the four major processors says it has reduced exports during the pandemic.
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig said he doesn't think it makes sense to restrict exports because so much of the meat sold internationally isn't popular in the U.S.
"I think it's important to prioritize," said Naig, whose state leads the nation in pork production. "I think companies should meet the domestic market first and then be free to sell the things that the American consumer doesn't purchase and the types of things that we don't normally consume. That's economically important."
Gov. Reynolds announces loosening of business restrictions starting Friday
Starting Friday, hair salons, gyms and tattoo parlors will be able to operate with limited capacity statewide.
Read more from Gov. Reynolds' latest public health proclamation.
Sen. Joni Ernst, other senators urge US Justice Dept. to investigate market manipulation in cattle industry
Iowa senator Joni Ernst (R) tweeted a letter from several senators to U.S. Attorney General William Barr urging him to investigate possible market manipulation and "anticompetitive behavior" among the cattle industry.
The letter urges Barr to investigate the claims "in order to identify more clearly the factors contributing to a dire situation for producers."
Nineteen senators signed the letter.
17 more Iowans die, 377 test positive for the coronavirus
Another 17 Iowans have died from COVID-19 according to new information from the Iowa Department of Public Health. In total, 306 Iowans have died from the virus.
An additional 377 Iowans tested positive for the virus as of Wednesday. The total number of Iowans that have tested positive is 13,289.
Another 4,054 tested negative for the virus. IDPH data shows that 72,430 Iowans have tested negative.
Iowa has tested 1-in-37 Iowans, or a total of 85,719. Hospitalizations total to 388 and 5,954 Iowans have recovered from the virus. The recovery rate is about 45%.
TestIowa site opens in Ottumwa
A new TestIowa site is opening Wednesday in Ottumwa.
You can take the online assessment to see if you're eligible to get tested for COVID-19.
LOCATION: 101 Church St, Ottumwa, IA 52501
Worker from Congo dies after COVID-19 outbreak at Waterloo plant
An immigrant from Congo who worked at the Tyson Foods pork processing plant in Waterloo has died of the coronavirus. The Congoloese community in Waterloo has been mourning Axel Kabeya’s death, which several members announced Sunday on social media. A Congolese newspaper reported that Kabeya was one of the community’s best-known figures in Waterloo, where hundreds of refugees have settled in recent years. He’s survived by a wife and children. His age wasn’t available. Tyson Fresh Meats spokeswoman Liz Croston confirmed the death, saying the company was “deeply saddened by the loss of a team member at our Waterloo facility.”
Reporting by The Associated Press
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