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 will take effect at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. The order will expire on Sept. 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, rideshare, or carpooling)

To view the list of exemptions, read the entire order online. 

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 Mayor has also issued a proclamation of Civil Emergency due to the growing risk of the Delta variant.

The full order and proclamation can be read online.