Spiritual and religious gatherings are no longer prohibited in Iowa as per Governor Kim Reynolds’ newest public health emergency proclamation, but Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Agency shares there are many recommendations for these institutions that reopen.

Though there are not mandatory protocols for faith-based organizations to follow, the Iowa Department of Public Health offers guidance on how to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Kempf says frequently touched surfaces should be routinely cleaned, “Making sure that everything is regularly sanitized, if you’re going to have more than one service having it sanitized between the services. Some of the other things that are easy so that people are only touching one side of the door is having separate exit and entry points, maybe having the doors propped open or being held by an usher so that people don’t have to touch the door. Some of the things are very simple, just having more hand sanitization places available throughout the building.”

Kempf also urges those at a higher risk of serious illness to stay home, and for religious organizations to continue web streaming or outdoor drive-in services as some have been doing. Resources for this and other entities reopening in Iowa can be found here.