Despite the new coronavirus variant on the state, Iowa Governor, Kim Reynolds lifted many restrictions intended to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The state has seen three new mutated variants of the COVID-19 variants in early February.

Reynolds said Iowans do not have to wear face coverings any longer in public. She also said that the businesses do not have to cap the number of people entering their establishing and can drop social distance guidelines.

Meanwhile, Health officials in the county urge people to carry on with the protective measures. 

Dr. Caitlin Pedati, an Iowa medical director and epidemiologist, said in a news release from the Iowa Department of Public health, "Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. Other times, new variants emerge and persist. Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the United States and globally during this pandemic."

She added, "Public health will continue to work with our partners at [the State Hygienic Lab] to monitor these trends and it is very important that we all keep practicing good public health-protective measures." 

According to Jon Hopkins University, at least 323,000 people from Iowa have been tested positive for the coronavirus infection of which more than 5,000 have died.

#COVIDKIM has been on trending on Twitter, opposing her removal of restrictions.