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Kalona Mayor Mark Robe is encouraging people to wear face coverings. He read a proclamation at Monday’s city council meeting, “Whereas the number of COVID-19 cases continue to increase in our nation, state, and counties, placing our residences at risk of serious illness or death. And whereas the World Health Organization has determined wearing face shields or cloth face masks has proven to be one of the most effective means to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus among persons in public settings. Whereas it is critically important to protect the residents, visitors, and employees in the City of Kalona from the spread of COVID-19. I Mark Robe, Mayor of the City of Kalona, Iowa do hereby proclaim that the city of Kalona encourages everyone through voluntary measures to social distance and wear a face shield or cloth masks when they are in proximity of other persons.”  Kalona is the first city in Washington County to create such a proclamation.

This proclamation will not make face coverings mandatory in Kalona, but urges people to wear face coverings, especially where social distancing is not possible. The proclamation also recommends that businesses adopt face covering guidelines. Robe says this proclamation will be in place until substantial progress in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 virus has been declared by public health officials.