Governor Reynolds relaxes restrictions on farmers markets and elective surgeries

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Friday morning announced what she described as "our first step of many" in loosening restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

An order which Reynolds will issue Friday will remove the prohibition against hospitals doing elective surgeries.  She said each hospital will make its own decision about whether to schedule the surgeries.  Hospitals must have adequate supplies of personal protective equipment in order to do the surgeries and must reserve 30 percent of its ICU beds for possible COVID-19 patients.

Reynolds' order also will allow farmers markets to open for the season.  She said the markets must impose social distancing requirements in order to operate.

Reynolds said she would make additional announcements on Monday.  The current restrictions expire next Thursday.  The governor says the new loosened regulations will take effect on Friday.