What's still open in Iowa? Craft stores, livestock auctions and car dealerships; not bookstores and flower shops - Des Moines Register

Posted: 07 Apr 2020 08:42 AM PDT

Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Sunday, March 15, 2020, that K-12 schools should close for four weeks to aim to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Des Moines Register

Iowa shoppers can still walk into Michaels to buy scrapbooking and sewing supplies, but they can't walk into Barnes & Noble to buy a book.

In order to combat the coronavirus and encourage social distancing, Gov. Kim Reynolds has issued a series of emergency declarations over the past two weeks that have closed many businesses and public areas.

"We have outlined businesses that, based on data, fit into a criteria that would be 'nonessential' at this point," she said at a press conference March 31.

Unlike 38 other states, Iowa has so far not declared a "shelter-in-place" or "stay-at-home" order that would limit residents from leaving their homes except out of necessity. But Reynolds has said her actions thus far have put Iowa under the equivalent of stay-at-home orders in other states.

On Monday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infections Disease, applauded Iowa's response, saying it was "functionally equivalent" to such stay-at-home orders.

► More: What is 'social distancing'? What does it mean to 'shelter in place'? A glossary of COVID-19 terms.

Stay-at-home orders, which often correspond with closures of "nonessential" businesses, vary by state. Some states with stay-at-home orders have some looser restrictions on some businesses, such as Arizona, where barbershops and salons are designated as "essential services." In Iowa, barbershops and salons have been closed since March 22.

But other states go further. In New Jersey, automobile dealerships must close their showrooms and are only allowed to perform maintenance and repair and provide curbside or online delivery of automobiles to patrons. None of Reynolds' limitations thus far has limited car dealership activity. Law enforcement in Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin and Colorado shut down some Hobby Lobby locations after ruling them nonessential. The retailer remained open in Iowa until deciding to close all of its stores on Friday, April 3. Other craft and fabric stores remain in operation.

Jason Straczewski, vice president of government relations and political affairs with the National Retail Foundation, said the nation has turned into a "patchwork" of regulations when it comes to essential and nonessential businesses. But he said Iowa's retail closures resemble many of those occurring in other states.

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The parking lot is full at Hobby Lobby in Des Moines on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

(Photo: Bryon Houlgrave/The Register)

Reynolds' spokesman, Pat Garrett, said April 1 that the governor's office created the list of business closures with input from agencies such as the Iowa Department of Health and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, as well as looking at other states. The goal was to prevent unnecessary gatherings while not shutting down the economy, he said.

On Thursday, April 2, Reynolds extended school closures, business closures and suspensions of nonessential and elective surgical data and orthodontic procedures through April 30. She ordered additional businesses and gathering areas closed on Monday, April 6.

Here's a rundown of what's still allowed to be open and what's not.

OPEN

Grocery stores, discount stores, pharmacies

An expanded public health emergency declaration that Reynolds issued last week closed down many types of retail stores, including those that sell clothing and shoes, perfume and beauty supplies and flowers.

But the order included an exemption for discount stores, grocery stores and pharmacies that also sell food, medicine and household goods. Stores such as Walmart and Target have also remained open.

Craft and fabric stores

Craft and fabric stores Michaels and JoAnn Fabrics remain open. Such stores have so far not been listed in any of the governor's orders.

Garrett said that's because these stores sell the materials for people to make items such as face masks, which are helpful to local hospitals given a shortage in personal protective equipment needed to shield health care workers from virus particles.

JoAnn Fabrics spokeswoman Shauntina Lilly said Monday via email that stores are encouraging people to make and donate handmade to hospitals.

"Hospitals and volunteers across the nation are coming to us in droves for supplies to make critical items, including face masks, shields, scrubs and gowns," she said.

Hobby Lobby announced Friday it is closing all of its stores. The chain had been open in Iowa throughout the week but was under fire in some states after remaining open when those states' rules had mandated closure.

► Des Moines Area Quilters Guild providing hand-sewn masks to Broadlawns during coronavirus pandemic

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Cindy Williams of Des Moines works on making face masks at her home on Saturday, March 21, 2020, in Des Moines. "It's sad we have to do it," Williams said, "but it's a great opportunity to feel like you are doing something."

(Photo: Brian Powers/The Register)

Auto dealerships

Car dealerships are not included in the Iowa closure orders.

Brittany Bungert, director of communications with the Iowa Automobile Dealers Association, said in an email that dealers are following national guidelines, which classify car dealerships as essential, as well as the Iowa guidelines that allow them to remain in operation.

"Iowa's dealers are essential to providing the supply of automobiles, as well as performing the repairs and maintenance required to keep the people who have to use their cars and trucks — including doctors, nurses and police officers — on the road," she said.

Restaurant takeout and delivery

Although Reynolds' declaration has shut down restaurant and bar dining rooms across the state, many are still offering takeout and delivery.

On Tuesday, Reynolds extended regulatory rules for bars and restaurants offering alcohol to go, authorizing Iowa eateries to keep selling alcoholic beverages for delivery or carry-out.

The proclamation also newly allows sale of mixed drinks, so long as the drinks are sealed with a lid to comply with Iowa's law against open containers in motor vehicles.

► Need to order out? See what Des Moines area restaurants are offering takeout during the coronavirus epidemic

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Miriam Erbantes works the drive-thru window at Abelardo's Mexican Restaurant in Des Moines Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

(Photo: Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register)

Parks and golf courses

Iowa's state parks remain open, although bathroom facilities, shelters, public campgrounds, outdoor playgrounds, cabins and yurts are closed.

Some cities such as Des Moines have continued to keep city parks open, although Des Moines has closed down the playground equipment.

Reynolds ordered playgrounds and campgrounds closed as part of a declaration on Monday, April 6.

Des Moines' municipal golf courses also remain open, although staff are practicing social distancing guidelines. Des Moines mayor Frank Cownie told the Des Moines Register on Saturday, March 28, that the city was reviewing whether to keep them open.

Golf courses are still allowed to be open if they follow social distancing guidelines. Social clubs at golf courses have been shut down.

Museums, libraries, zoos, skating rinks

The governor's order on Monday, April 6, included many other public gathering spots such as museums, libraries, aquariums, zoos, roller or ice skating rinks, bingo halls, bowling alleys, amusement parks, race tracks, arcades, skate parks, indoor playgrounds, campgrounds and social and fraternal clubs.

Some of these venues had already closed, such as the Des Moines Public Library, which has closed its branches and canceled all library programs and activities through the end of May. Digital materials remain available. But the library is still making its wireless internet available to those who park outside.

Gun shops

Reynolds on March 20 issued a proclamation that, among other measures, kept state permits to carry weapons from expiring during the emergency. The order also directed sheriff's offices to create procedures to allow applications for permits to acquire handguns and permits to carry firearms be dropped off without interaction with staff.

None of the retail closures so far has mandated the closure of places that sell firearms.

Scheels, a sporting goods store that sells items such as clothing and shoes but also sells firearms and other equipment, remains open.

Livestock auctions

The Iowa Department of Public Health and Iowa Department Agriculture and Land Stewardship last week issued guidance for livestock auction markets that recommended auctions to be postponed if possible.

But auctions can still go on virtually, or even in person under certain guidelines. Those guidelines include screenings those entering the market grounds and limiting the number of buyers present in the sales ring so they can stay the recommended 6 feet apart.

Reynolds responded at her Wednesday press conference to a question about a horse auction scheduled Thursday in Wayne County. According to a report in the Corydon Times, the auction drew many buyers from at least seven states. It was strongly opposed by the Wayne County Board of Health, but members said they couldn't legally stop it, the newspaper reported.

"They need to practice social distancing," Reynolds said. "They need to, you know, adhere to the guidelines that have been placed by the Department of Agriculture as well the Department of Public Health."

Thursday, when Reynolds extended her emergency declaration, the new declaration added that only livestock auctions that "only include food animals" could continue. They will be limited to no more than 25 people, although more can be present if they remain inside parked vehicles.

CLOSED

'Nonessential' surgeries, including 'nonessential' abortions

In an effort to free up personal protective equipment, Reynolds delayed all nonessential and elective surgeries that could be postponed without "undue" risk to a patient's health. The order also suspended elective dental procedures, although emergency procedures are still allowed.

That order includes a delay on surgical abortions. After the governor's declaration, the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood sued Iowa and three other states over the effort to suspend abortions.

On Wednesday, a motion for an injunction on the declaration was withdrawn as lawyers with the ACLU and the state of Iowa announced they had reached an agreement that would allow abortions that cannot be delayed without risk to the health of a patient. Physicians can also consider Iowa's current ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy when determining whether an abortion is "essential."

The lawsuit itself will remain active.

Public schools

Last month, Reynolds recommended Iowa schools close for four weeks because of the virus. On Thursday, she ordered schools closed through the end of April.

Although that could mean schools will be back in session next month, Iowa school district officials have told the Des Moines Register they are working on contingency plans — potentially through the end of the school year.

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A sign posted to an entrance at Prairie Meadows Hotel and Casino in Altoona states that the facility is closed due to Covid-19 concerns.

(Photo: Bryon Houlgrave/The Register)

Movie theaters, bars, casinos and gyms

On March 17, Reynolds ordered the closure of many businesses and recreational facilities, putting a pause on many public gatherings to slow the virus's spread.

The order included restaurant dine-in services, as well as bars, gyms, theaters and casinos. The governor also prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people, which shut down many community and sporting events, as well as religious gatherings.

Barbershops, salons, spas, massage therapists, tattoo shops

Last week, the governor signed a public health emergency declaration shutting down several facilities, including salons, barbershops, medical spas, massage therapists, tattoo shops, tanning facilities and swimming pools.

Adult toy stores

Romantix, an adult entertainment store with nine locations across the state, had remained open through Reynolds' first round of closures, which did not explicitly mention adult entertainment stores. But Reynolds ordered adult entertainment stores closed on Monday, April 6.

Romantix operates two Des Moines locations, at 2020 E. Euclid Ave. and at 1401 E. Army Post Road. The stores are open 24/7 and offer sex toys, lingerie and adult DVDs.

There are also Romantix locations in Ames, Waterloo, Iowa City, Sioux City, Council Bluffs and Fort Dodge.

Several other adult stores had previously closed on their own. Lovers Playground, which operates adult-oriented stores in Des Moines and Burlington, closed its Iowa locations on March 27 until further notice, according to its website. The Lion's Den in Newton and the Adult Shop in Marshalltown had also closed.

Malls and several retail stores

Reynolds on Thursday moved to shut down many "nonessential" businesses, including bookstores; clothing and shoe stores; jewelry stores; luggage stores; cosmetic, perfume and beauty supply stores; furniture stores; florists; and home furnishing stores. The closures currently extend through April 30.

The order included exemptions for discount stores, grocery stores and pharmacies that sell some of those goods in addition to food, medicine and household goods.

Stores ordered "closed" can still offer curbside pickup or delivery service.

Reynolds ordered malls closed on Monday, April 6. The closure includes interior common areas and retail establishments only accessible from the interior common areas. The April 6 declaration also included toy, gaming, music, instrument and movie stores. Tobacco or vaping stores are also closed.

Ian Richardson covers the Iowa Statehouse for the Register. Reach him at irichardson@registermedia.com, at 515-284-8254, or on Twitter at @DMRIanR.

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