It is now imperative for Iowans to wear a mask or use other forms of a face covering while they are indoors in public and surrounded by other people for at least 15 minutes, as part of recently issued stricter public health order by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. The announcement comes after initial resistance for the requirement as the state witnesses alarming coronavirus surges.

Aside from addressing the public, Reynolds signed a proclamation on Monday that requires those 2 years old and older to wear a mask in indoor areas accessible by the public. Moreover, they will be required to be within six feet of people who aren't members of their family circle for at least 15 minutes.

This proclamation is slated to go into effect on Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. and will be lifted on Dec. 10 at 11:59 p.m. Those eating or drinking at restaurants and bars will not be subject to the mask mandate. Moreover, people with medical disabilities, restricting them from wearing a mask, and those participating in religious services will not be included under the mask mandate, according to the Des Moines Register.

During her public address, Reynolds pointed out that the mild cases made Iowans complacent, and they have forgotten why it is important to flatten the curve. Moreover, she restricted the indoor gathering of 15 people or more and prohibited outside gatherings of 30 people or more in her address.

Outside gatherings allude to family gatherings, funeral receptions, weddings, and any other nonessential gatherings of people who live nor work together indoors, Reynolds' office said in a release. In addition to that, the governor's order requires indoor playgrounds, bingo halls, pool halls, arcades, bowling alleys, bars, and restaurants to close at 10 p.m. for indoor customers.

These measures are targeted towards areas and activities where they are chances of making a significant impact in a short period, she explained. She went on to admit that though these changes will not be easy, they are necessary to make sure their health care system is stable, children can go to school, and businesses remain open.

This announcement comes when Iowa has witnessed an increase in COVID-19 cases since Oct. The state recorded 4,381 new cases last week, surpassing its own record for most current hospitalizations on Monday with 1,392, COVID Tracking Project reported.

She issued her coronavirus restriction last Wednesday after several months, mandating masks at certain indoor gatherings of 25 or more people. This mandate also prohibited outdoor gatherings of a hundred or more people.