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Documenting Iowa's path to recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

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Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains a general timeline of noteworthy state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic since April 2020. It also includes details on three specific types of state responses to the pandemic:

Additionally, the article includes:


Response news updates

The following section provides a timeline of Iowa's reopening activity beginning in April 2020. The entries, which come from our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter, are sorted by month in reverse chronological order. The date shown is the day that we wrote about them in the newsletter. They appear exactly as they appeared in the newsletter.

June 2021

  • June 28: On Friday, June 25, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) extendedthe statewide public health emergency an additional 30 days.
  • June 14: The state ended its participation in pandemic-related federal unemployment benefit programs June 12. Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) made the announcement May 10.

May 2021

  • May 20: On Thursday, May 20, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed a law prohibiting public schools, cities, and counties from issuing mask mandates. The Iowa House of Representatives passed House File 847 53-35 on May 19, while the Senate passed it 29-17 on the same day.
  • May 11: Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced the state will stop participating in pandemic-related federal unemployment benefit programs starting June 12. Iowa is one of seven states that have announced federal benefits will end by June 30 or earlier.
  • May 6: On Wednesday, the Iowa Senate passed House File 889 by a 32-16 vote. The bill would prohibit state and local government agencies from putting vaccine status on government-issued identification cards. The bill would also prohibit state and local governments from asking people about their vaccine status as a condition of entering government buildings. The House passed the bill 58-35 on April 28. It now goes to Gov. Kim Reynolds (R).
  • May 3: On Friday, April 30, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) extended the statewide coronavirus emergency through May 30.

April 2021

  • April 5: Effective Monday, April 5, residents 16 and older are eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.

March 2021

  • March 8: On Friday, March 5, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) issued a proclamation that allows dentists to resume providing all dental services if the practice complies with the Iowa Dental Board’s guidance. The practice must also have an inventory of personal protective equipment. The proclamation is scheduled to remain in effect through April 4.

February 2021

  • February 16: On Feb. 15, schools were required to offer full-time in-person instruction. Legislation Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed on Jan. 29 requires schools to open but also allows parents to request a hybrid or all remote option for their children. Additionally, schools can request a waiver from the requirement to provide in-person instruction from the state Department of Education based on factors such as the number of teachers quarantining because of the virus. The bill passed the state House and Senate with the support of all Republicans and one Democrat.
  • February 8: On Friday, Feb. 5, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) issued an order easing coronavirus restrictions. The order lifts the statewide mask mandate and limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings. The order encourages people 65 and older to limit activities outside the home.
  • February 1: On Friday, Jan. 29, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed a bill requiring school districts to provide students in-person instruction five days a week. Under the law, parents can still request a hybrid or all remote option for their children, and schools can request a waiver from the Department of Education based on factors such as the number of teachers quarantining because of the virus. According to the bill, which passed the state House and Senate with the support of all Republicans and one Democrat, schools have until Feb. 15 to offer full-time in-person instruction.

January 2021

  • January 22: On Thursday, Jan. 21, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced that people 65 and older will become eligible for the coronavirus vaccine on Feb. 1.
  • January 11: On Friday, Jan. 8, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) ended limits on the number of spectators at high school sports and recreational events. Previously, no more than two spectators were allowed per athlete.
  • January 8: On Thursday, Jan. 7, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) issued an order lifting spectator limits on sporting and recreational events, including high school sports. The order also extended some restrictions, such as requiring people to wear masks when social distancing isn’t possible, through Feb. 6.

December 2020

  • December 17: On Wednesday, Dec. 16, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced she was loosening restrictions on some businesses and activities. Under the new rules, bars and restaurants can resume normal hours. Additionally, students participating in high school recreational activities can now invite members of their household to watch. The new restrictions take effect Thursday, Dec. 17.
  • December 15: On Monday, Dec. 14, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced the state would return $21 million in federal CARES Act funding after an audit revealed the money was not spent on the public health emergency.
  • December 10: On Wednesday, Dec. 9, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced she was extending statewide coronavirus restrictions, including the requirement that people wear a face mask when in indoor public spaces, through Dec. 16.

November 2020

  • November 20: On Thursday, Nov. 19, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced she would allocate $14 million in federal CARES Act funding to assist long-term care facilities with testing and staffing.
  • November 19: On Wednesday, Nov. 18, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) issued an executive order banning recreational activities and sports, including those conducted at fitness centers or gyms, that do not allow participants to stay six feet apart at all times. The order requires all participants to wear a mask and limits spectators to two per athlete. The order does not apply to high school, collegiate, or professional sports.
  • November 17: On Nov. 16, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced an indoor face-covering requirement for all individuals over the age of two in public spaces where social distancing isn’t possible. Reynolds also announced that indoor gatherings will be limited to 15 people, while outdoor gatherings will be limited to 30.
  • November 12: On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced she was extending the public health emergency for 30 days and prohibiting indoor gatherings of more than 25 people unless everyone older than two wears a mask. Additionally, face coverings will be required at businesses like barbershops and tattoo parlors. Several types of businesses, including bars, restaurants, and arcades, must ensure six feet of distance between individuals or groups.

October 2020

  • October 30: On Monday, Oct. 26, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced the Iowa County Fairs Relief Program, a $6 million initiative that will provide financial support to eligible county and district fairs.
  • October 27: On Thursday, Oct. 29, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced $2 million in CARES Act funding to support the development of a nanovaccine. The University of Iowa and Iowa State University are spearheading the initiative.
  • October 19: On Friday, Oct. 16, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed an order extending the statewide emergency through Nov. 15. The emergency order includes the state’s COVID-19 restrictions, including a new provision requiring bars and restaurants to keep customers seated and to maintain 6 feet of distance between groups.
  • October 9: On Friday, Oct. 9, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced the launch of the Residential Utility Disruption Prevention Program. The program will provide up to $2,000 to low-income families to help pay utility bills.
  • October 5: On Friday, Oct. 2, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) issued an order easing restrictions on bars, breweries, wineries, and distilleries in Johnson and Story counties. Breweries, wineries, and distilleries were permitted to reopen at 5 p.m. Friday, while bars were permitted to reopen on Monday, Oct. 5. Reynolds closed bars in six counties in August, but allowed most to reopen in September. Bars, breweries, wineries, and distilleries in Johnson and Story counties must enforce social-distancing rules in order to reopen.

September 2020

  • September 29: On Sept. 29, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced that workers and children in daycares and schools no longer need to quarantine if they come into contact with a person with COVID-19 while wearing a mask. According to the guidance, only the infected individual with COVID-19 will need to quarantine.
  • September 21: On Sept. 18, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) extended the bar closures in Johnson and Story counties through Sept. 27. Those counties are home to the state’s two largest universities—the University of Iowa and Iowa State University.
  • September 16: Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced that bars could reopen in Black Hawk, Dallas, Linn, and Polk counties. On Aug. 27, Reynolds closed bars and prohibited restaurants from serving alcohol past 10 p.m. in those counties.
  • September 11: Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced that schools opting for fully virtual instruction were not allowed to have in-person activities. “If students can’t be in school safely it makes no sense to have in-person extracurricular activities,” Reynolds said. Des Moines Public Schools, the state’s largest district, began fully virtual instruction this week without seeking the required waiver from the state.
  • September 2: Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced the reopening of the Iowa Small Business Relief Program for bars closed in six counties by Reynolds’ executive order last week. Affected businesses may be eligible for a one-time $10,000 grant.

August 2020

  • August 27: Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) closed bars, nightclubs, and breweries in Polk, Linn, Johnson, Story, Dallas, and Black Hawk counties through at least Sept. 5. Reynolds cited high positive test rates among young adults in those counties, which are home to the state’s major universities.
  • August 21: Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced that schools suffering storm damage from the Aug. 11 derecho will be allowed to use primarily remote learning to begin the 2020-2021 school year. Previously, only schools with a 15% coronavirus positivity rate or 10% absenteeism were allowed to primarily use remote learning.
  • August 19: The Iowa State Education Association and the Iowa City Community School District announced that they were filing a lawsuit against the state. The lawsuit argues that local districts and their boards of directors should be able to make decisions about reopening schools.
  • August 4: Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced the state would not count any remote-learning days towards required instructional time for schools that did not offer at least 50% in-person instruction.

July 2020

  • July 31: Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) set requirements for public schools to seek a state waiver allowing them to provide online-only education. A school must have at least a 15% positive test rate in its county and a 10% absentee rate among students. Schools in counties with a 20% or higher positive test rate do not need to meet the absentee rate requirement. The waiver would allow a school to operate fully online for two weeks before re-applying for the waiver.
  • July 24: Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) extended the state’s public health emergency for 30 days to Aug. 23. Reynolds did not add any new restrictions as part of the extension.
  • July 20: On July 17, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) ordered that students spend at least half of their schooling time in-person. She said districts could seek waivers to the requirement from the state Department of Education. Des Moines, the state’s largest district, had previously announced one day of in-person instruction for students each week.

June 2020

  • June 26: The Iowa Department of Education announced that schools would be allowed to reopen beginning July 1. Officials announced there would be no requirement for students or staff to wear face coverings, undergo health checks, or social distance.
  • June 1: On June 1, outdoor performance venues, casinos, bowling alleys, amusement parks, skating rinks, skate parks, and outdoor playgrounds are allowed to reopen at 50% capacity. Summer school activities, including baseball and softball, are also allowed to resume.

May 2020

  • May 28: Effective May 28, bars and other alcohol-related establishments are permitted to reopen at 50 percent capacity. Earlier this week, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced that the following businesses would be allowed to reopen at 50% capacity effective June 1: outdoor performance venues, casinos, bowling alleys, amusement parks, skating rinks, skate parks, and outdoor playgrounds.
  • May 22: Effective May 22, the following businesses are allowed to resume operations: movie theaters (at 50% capacity); museums, aquariums, and zoos; swimming pools; and wedding reception venues.


Vaccine distribution

This section contains a table of quick facts on the state’s vaccine distribution plan and a timeline of noteworthy events, including updates on vaccine availability for new groups of individuals, changes to state distribution plans, and much more. If you know of a noteworthy story we are missing, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

The Iowa Department of Public Health released a distribution plan on October 12, 2020.

Quick facts

Iowa state vaccination plan quick information
What governing entities are responsible for vaccine allocation and distribution?[1] Iowa Department of Public Health
Where can I find a quick breakdown of phases in my state? Vaccine distribution to priority populations
Where can I find the distribution plan? COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy
When was the plan first released to the public? October 12, 2020
When was the plan most recently updated? December 4, 2020
Where can I find answers to frequently asked questions? Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find data related to the coronavirus in my state? COVID-19 in Iowa
Where is the state health department's homepage? Iowa Department of Public Health
Where can I find additional information about the state's vaccine distribution? The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in Iowa - AARP'

Timeline

  • May 5, 2021: The Iowa Senate passed House File 889 by a 32-16 vote. The bill was slated to prohibit state and local government agencies from putting vaccine status on government-issued identification cards and prohibit state and local governments from asking people about their vaccine status as a condition of entering government buildings. The House passed the bill 58-35 on April 28. At the time of the writing, the bill still needed to go to Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) to be passed or vetoed.[2]
  • April 5, 2021: Iowa residents 16 and older became eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.[3]
  • January 21, 2021: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced that people 65 and older would become eligible for the coronavirus vaccine on Feb. 1.[4]

Statewide travel restrictions

See also: Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021


Does Iowa have restrictions on travel? No.

More information can be found at Travel Iowa.

Timeline

  • March 21, 2020: Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) urged Iowans returning from out-of-state to self-quarantine for 14-days.[5]


School reopenings and closures

See also: School responses in Iowa to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Schools in Iowa were closed to in-person instruction on March 15, 2020, and remained closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. The state allowed schools to start reopening on July 1, 2020. The timeline below lists statewide responses we tracked.

  • June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported all schools were in-person in Iowa .[6][7]
  • February 15, 2021: Iowa schools were required to offer full-time in-person instruction. Legislation Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed on Jan. 29 required schools to open but also allowed parents to request a hybrid or all remote option for their children. Additionally, schools could request a waiver from the requirement to provide in-person instruction from the state Department of Education based on factors such as the number of teachers quarantining because of the virus. The bill passed the state House and Senate with the support of all Republicans and one Democrat.[8]
  • January 29, 2021: Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed a bill requiring school districts to provide students in-person instruction five days a week. Under the law, parents could still request a hybrid or all remote option for their children, and schools could request a waiver from the Department of Education based on factors such as the number of teachers quarantining because of the virus. The bill, which passed the state House and Senate with the support of all Republicans and one Democrat, set a Feb. 15 deadline for schools to offer full-time in-person instruction.[9]
  • Sept. 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported about half of schools were in-person in Iowa .[10][11]
  • July 30, 2020: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) set requirements for public schools to seek a state waiver allowing them to provide online-only education. A school needed at least a 15% positive test rate in its county and a 10% absentee rate among students. Schools in counties with a 20% or higher positive test rate did not need to meet the absentee rate requirement. The waiver would have allowed a school to operate fully online for two weeks before re-applying for the waiver.[12]
  • July 17, 2020: Reynolds ordered that students spend at least half of their schooling in-person. She said that districts could seek waivers to the requirement from the state Department of Education. Des Moines, the state’s largest district, had previously announced one day of in-person instruction for students each week.[13]
  • June 25, 2020: The Iowa Department of Education announced that schools would be allowed to reopen beginning July 1. Officials announced that there would be no requirement for students or staff to wear face coverings, undergo health checks, or social distance.[14]


  • April 17, 2020: Reynolds closed schools for the remainder of the academic year. Prior to the announcement, schools were closed through April 30.[15]
  • April 2, 2020: Reynolds ordered all schools in the state to close through April 30. Previously, her office recommended schools close until April 13.[16]
  • March 15, 2020: Reynolds recommended that schools across the state close for four weeks. Individual districts had authority to make decisions based on the recommendation.[17]

Statewide mask requirements

See also: State-level mask requirements in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) issued a face-covering requirement, effective November 10, requiring anyone two or older to wear face masks at indoor events larger than 25 people. The order also required masks at sporting events and in certain businesses (like barbershops),[18]

Reynolds issued an order, effective November 17, requiring everyone two years or older to wear masks in indoor spaces open to the public where they could be within six feet of individuals outside of their household for more than 15 minutes. [19]

On February 7, 2021, Reynolds lifted the statewide public mask requirement.[20]

Reynolds signed a law prohibiting public schools, cities, and counties from issuing mask mandates on May 20. The Iowa House of Representatives passed House Bill 847 53-35 on May 19, while the Senate passed it 29-17 on the same day.


Noteworthy lawsuits

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

Ballotpedia has not covered any noteworthy lawsuits in this state. Click the link above to see noteworthy lawsuits filed in response to the coronavirus pandemic in other states.

Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

The table below lists officials or candidates who have been diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus. The most recent announcements appear first.

Name Office Date Status
Ashley Hinson Iowa House of Representatives District 67 November 9, 2020 Hinson announced that she had tested positive for coronavirus.[21]
Chuck Grassley U.S. Senate Iowa November 17, 2020 Grassley announced he had tested positive for coronavirus.[22]
Amy Nielsen Iowa House of Representatives District 77 January 30, 2021 Nielsen announced that she had tested positive for coronavirus.[23]

Paths to recovery by state

To read about other states’ responses and recoveries, click one of the links below:

Other state government responses

To view previous coverage areas, including changes to 2020 election dates and policies, initial stay-at-home orders, coronavirus-related legislation, and much more, click a state in the map below.

https://ballotpedia.org/Government_responses_to_and_political_effects_of_the_coronavirus_pandemic,_2020_(STATE)

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named section7
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IA55
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IA45
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IA121
  5. ↑ Office of the Governor of Iowa, "Gov. Reynolds, IDPH recommend self isolation for those who traveled out of state ," April 21, 2020
  6. ↑ Burbio rated Iowa's in-person index at 100. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  7. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 6, 2021
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IA215
  9. ↑ Des Moines Register, "Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs law requiring schools to offer 100% in-person learning option," accessed February 1, 2021
  10. ↑ Burbio rated Iowa's in-person index between 40-60. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  11. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 6, 2021
  12. ↑ Des Moines Register, "Iowa counties must hit a 15% positive coronavirus test rate before schools can go online-only, governor says," July 30, 2020
  13. ↑ FOX 23, "Iowa governor to require in-person classes," July 20, 2020
  14. ↑ U.S. News & World Report, "Iowa School Reopening Plan Doesn't Require Masks, Distancing," June 25, 2020
  15. ↑ Des Moines Register, "Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds orders schools to remain closed for the rest of the academic year," April 17, 2020
  16. ↑ KWQC, "Iowa Gov. Reynolds orders school closures to be extended through April 30," April 2, 2020
  17. ↑ KWWL, "GOVERNOR REYNOLDS: Iowa schools recommended to close for four weeks," March 15, 2020
  18. ↑ We Are Iowa, "Gov. Reynolds issues mask mandate for social gatherings, sporting events and certain businesses," accessed November 11, 2020
  19. ↑ ABC 9, "Gov. Reynolds announces new COVID-19 restrictions, including indoor mask requirements," accessed November 19, 2020
  20. ↑ NPR, "Iowa Rolls Back Coronavirus Restrictions," accessed February 8, 2021
  21. ↑ KCRG', "Congresswoman-elect Ashley Hinson tests positive for COVID-19," October 12, 2020
  22. ↑ Politico, "Chuck Grassley tests positive for coronavirus," November 17, 2020
  23. ↑ KCCI, "State Rep. Amy Nielsen tests positive for COVID-19," January 30, 2021
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