DES MOINES, Iowa – Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Des Moines on Friday to meet with faith leaders to discuss reopening worship services according to a press release.
Gov. Kim Reynolds last week lifted restrictions on gatherings larger than ten people for religious and spiritual activities. Starting last weekend, churches could again hold in-person worship services implementing guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health.
She said during last Friday’s press conference that many churches are taking time to assess and adapt their space to accommodate social distancing before reopening.
“I appreciate the thoughtful approach of these decisions, and also the thoughtful approach of those who choose to hold services this weekend and anticipate anticipation of returning to church, whether it’s this week or in the coming weeks,” Reynolds said.
Pence will visit Hy-Vee’s headquarters in West Des Moines to participate in a roundtable discussing securing the nation’s food supply. With COVID-19 outbreaks impacting production in meat processing plants, there is an anticipated shortage. Iowa currently has four meat processing plants with outbreaks, including three plants operated by Tyson Foods. Smithfield saw a significant outbreak in its pork processing plant in Sioux Falls, S.D. and closed temporarily. The JBS pork processing plant in Worthington, Minn. also temporarily closed for two weeks due to an outbreak. Both plants plan to reopen soon.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order that directed all meat processing plants to remain open under the Defense Production Act.
Hy-Vee announced on Tuesday announced they would limit customer’s purchases to four packages of a combination of fresh beef, ground beef, pork, and chicken when they checkout at all Hy-Vee locations.
Pence will return to Washington, D.C., on Friday evening.
