City of Newton issued the following announcement on August 27.
Mayor Michael L. Hansen signed a proclamation continuing the Public Health Disaster through September 30, 2021. The proclamation continues to encourage residents to follow mitigation measures recommended by the Iowa Department of Public Health. It also encourages Newton residents to consult with their personal health care provider for consideration of the COVID-19 vaccination.
The proclamation can be found online here.
WHEREAS, one of the greatest responsibilities of any elected official is the protection of the electorate served and the protection of the greater public health and safety; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 poses a serious and potentially deadly threat to the public and the public health as the Federal Center for Disease Control (“CDC”) has noted that serious illness occurs in 16% of cases with older people and people of all ages with severe chronic medical conditions — like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for example — seeming to be at a higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness and noting that the World Health Organization has determined COVID-19 to be a pandemic; and
WHEREAS, across the globe, the disease has been dramatically spread through contact by those with no known correlation to any affected areas or without contact with those known to be infected, called “community spread” and the Iowa Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) has now identified community spread in central Iowa and has issued new recommendations for individuals with underlying conditions, and all Iowans should be prepared for cancellations and disruptions in routine activities; and
WHEREAS, Iowa Code Section 372.14(2) and the City of Newton Code of Ordinances Section 34.03 grant the Mayor powers in emergency circumstances when public danger exists to take extraordinary steps to protect the public health and safety.
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION OF THE FORGOING AND OTHER VALID EMERGENT CONCERNS, I, MICHAEL L. HANSEN, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEWTON, PROCLAIM THE FOLLOWING:
I hereby determine that a STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH DISASTER EMERGENCY continues to exist throughout the entire City of Newton until 11:59 p.m. on September 30, 2021 and do hereby ORDER and DIRECT the following:
I encourage all vulnerable citizens of Newton, including those with preexisting medical conditions and those older than 65, to consider limiting their activities outside of their homes if they are not fully vaccinated. I encourage all citizens of Newton to limit their in-person interaction with vulnerable citizens if they are not fully vaccinated. I encourage all citizens of Newton to consult with their personal health care provider for consideration of the COVID-19 vaccination. I also encourage all citizens of Newton to consult with their personal health care provider for consideration in wearing a mask to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 delta variant.
I encourage that a gathering organizer or host take reasonable measures to ensure the health of participants and members of the public consistent with guidance issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health.
This Proclamation of emergency and public danger is part of an ongoing response of the City of Newton to protect public health and safety and may be modified or superseded with more restrictive proclamations at any time as circumstances warrant.
Per Section 34.99 of the Code of Ordinances, the public is advised that the violation of a mayoral proclamation of emergency or of any subsidiary proclamation thereto evidencing the exercise of emergency powers or of any rule or order issued pursuant thereto by the mayor or the city administrator or of any order issued pursuant thereto by any peace officer or of any directive issued by designated emergency services personnel pursuant thereto shall constitute a violation of that section and shall be punishable as a misdemeanor as provided by section 34.99 of the Code of Ordinances.
All City Public Buildings & Council Chambers anyone entering a city public building for the purpose of contacting and conducting business with city staff is encouraged to wear a mask while inside the building where you cannot maintain social distancing.
City Hall & Newton Waterworks’ lobby area is open to the public. The public can continue to access services via phone or email.
Newton Fire Department lobby area is open to the public
Newton Police Department lobby area is open to the public.
Newton Public Library The Newton Public Library, which falls under the direction of the Newton Public Library Board of Trustees, is open its full, pre-COVID service hours. The Library building is open, offering all library services; Monday - Thursday from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The library is also offering digital library cards for those in the community wishing to access digital materials but limit their excursions, information can be found here: https://www.newtongov.org/FormCenter/Library-forms-4/Digital-Library-Card-Registration-124. The public is encouraged to learn more online or reach out to staff by calling (641) 792-4108. If you are looking for a specific staff's contact information, you can view the staff directory.
Newton Public Works Department lobby area is open to the public.
All City Parks are open to the general public. This includes the following: restrooms, playgrounds, shelter rentals, clubhouses, youth and adult baseball, softball and soccer fields.
Maytag Pool is open to the public.
Westwood Golf Course is open to the public.
Newton Municipal Airport: All public areas at the Newton Municipal Airport are open to the public, flight crews, and general aviation pilots and flight students.
Newton Sanitary Landfill is open to the public.
Use of Masks or Other Face Coverings: I also encourage all citizens of Newton to consult with their personal health care provider for consideration in wearing a mask to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 delta variant.
Office of the Governor: All closures and restrictions in accordance with the State Public Health Emergency Declaration proclamation signed by Governor Kim Reynolds the 19th day of August, 2021.
Original source can be found here.
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