On Friday, Governor Kim Reynolds issued a proclamation lifting seating limitations and mask requirements for bars and restaurants due to COVID-19.

The proclamation went into effect Sunday and strongly encourages Iowans, businesses, and organizations to take reasonable public health measures consistent with guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health. District 78 State Representative Jarad Klein (R) of Keota says it was time to make the change, “I was glad to see the governor lift those restrictions and allow Iowans to use their own responsibility going forward. It was just absolutely awful hearing from some of the folks down there that owned restaurants, bars and such what they were going through.”

Klein says many food and drinking establishments have struggled to keep staff and not close their doors during the pandemic, but he hopes customers will return to eating out more soon to help those businesses rebound. Klein asks constituents to support local businesses.