Des Moines City Extends Building Closures To April 1, 2021

Press release from the City of Des Moines:

February 3, 2021

DES MOINES, IOWA – Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 – Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Mayor Frank Cownie today announced that the City of Des Moines will extend the public closure of its administration buildings until April 1. The buildings were scheduled to reopen on March 1. Mayor Cownie, through emergency proclamation, closed the buildings nearly 11 months ago on March 17, 2020.

“With the COVID-19 vaccinations underway, we have slowly, cautiously turned a corner, however, with the advent of new more transmissible versions of the virus now being detected in the Midwest, we must continue to be diligent and disciplined – and that is why we’re extending our closures by another month,” Cownie said.

As of this morning, Iowa reported 321,740 positive cases statewide with 4,975 deaths. Polk County recorded the most cases in the state with 48,433 and 503 deaths.

The extended closure includes the City Hall, Armory, Municipal Service Center, and Public Works buildings, the Des Moines Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA) and the office location for the Civil & Human Rights Department.

This press release was produced by the City of Des Moines. The views expressed here are the author’s own.