Mayor Michael L. Hansen signed a proclamation continuing the Public Health Disaster through April 30, 2021. The proclamation continues to encourage residents to follow mitigation measures recommended by the Iowa Department of Public Health.
The proclamation can be found online here and substantive information can be found below:
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 April 30, 2021 and do hereby ORDER and DIRECT the following:
I strongly encourage all vulnerable citizens of Newton, including those with preexisting medical conditions and those older than 65, to continue to limit their activities outside of their home, including visits to businesses and other establishments and their participation in gatherings of any size and any purpose. And I encourage all citizens of Newton to limit their in-person interaction with vulnerable citizens and to exercise particular care and caution when engaging in any necessary interaction.
I strongly encourage that a gathering organizer or host take reasonable measures under the circumstances of each gathering to ensure the health of participants and members of the public, including social distancing practices, increased hygiene practices, wearing of masks or other face coverings, and other public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 consistent with guidance issued by the Iowa Department of Public Health.
I further determine and direct the Police Chief to enforce the ORDERS and DIRECTION contained in this entire proclamation.
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 Effective August 1, 2020 anyone entering a city public building for the purpose of contacting and conducting business with city staff, will be required to wear a protective mask as defined by the Iowa Department of Public Health.
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. Signs are posted with instructions and social distancing measures are in place. 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. of each day, the lobby will be open for high-risk populations.
Newton Police Department lobby area is open to the public. Signs are posted with instructions and social distancing measures are in place. 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. of each day, the lobby will be open for high-risk populations.
Newton Public Library which falls under the direction of the Newton Public Library Board of Trustees, is currently in Phase 3 of Re-Opening. Newton Public Library is currently offering a mix of browsing and curbside pick-up.
The Library is open for Browse-&-Go on Mondays 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Tuesday 10a.m.-6p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Patrons are restricted to one hour within the building during our browsing days with masks required at all times.
The Library offers computer reservations, library card application appointments, hotspot check-out appointments, and curbside pick-up on Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. To place a curbside request, please visit our website at https://www.newtongov.org/1010/Curbside-Pick-Up.
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.
Masks are required when entering the Library building and must remain on for the duration of your visit.
Newton Public Works Department lobby area is open to the public. Signs are posted with instructions and social distancing measures are in place. 8 – 10 a.m. of each day, the lobby will be open for high-risk populations.
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 plans to open spring 2021 – the opening date is TBD.
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 strongly encourage everyone to wear a mask when you are indoors with people you do not live with and when you are not able to stay at least six (6) feet apart.
Office of the Governor: All closures and restrictions in accordance with the State Public Health Emergency Declaration proclamation signed by Governor Kim Reynolds the 5th day of March, 2021.