Des Moines Sun

Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie made an amendment to his emergency health proclamation in response to increased community spread of COVID-19 in Polk County and the capital city.

Cownie amended the proclamation originally issued in March to encourage mask use and place new limits on outdoor gatherings in Des Moines, a press release from his office stated.

Cownie’s changes came as Polk County assumed the lead for the most positive coronavirus cases in Iowa.

The revised proclamation recommends citizens to wear masks when they are outside of their homes and in a situation where social distancing – or giving six feet of space to the next person – is impossible, when visiting public places such as retail stores, restaurants and other accommodations, and when taking public transportation or a ride-sharing service, the release stated.

The mayor continued to bar indoor gatherings of 10 people or more on public property and limited public outdoor gatherings to fewer than 250 people.