Downtown Des Moines road closures intended to increase physical distancing

The city of Des Moines closed streets downtown to increase physical distancing and decrease scooping the loop. Des Moines City Councilman Josh Mandelbaum said that the closures are twofold. First, it allows for more physical distancing space amid COVID-19. He then said that the second benefit to the barricades is that it discourages people from “scooping the loop” around the park. Mandelbaum said the closures will likely remain in place as long as physical distancing recommendations remain.