The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 Thursday to extend business closures through April 10 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The measure, which went into effect March 19, limits restaurants to drive-thru and takeout and also calls for the closure of fitness centers, movie theaters, bingo halls, performance venues and similar public gathering sites. Pharmacies, grocery stores, banks and other essential services are not affected.
While the closures were supposed to end by March 31, the supervisors voted to extend that timeline during an emergency meeting Thursday.
The decision coincides with Gov. Doug Ducey and Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman’s order to close all K-12 public schools through April 10. The board said it will reconsider the business closure every two weeks.
Republican Supervisor Steve Christy voted no, along with Supervisor Ally Miller, to extend the closure based on what he called “arbitrary” reasoning and uncertainty for local businesses and employees.
“These deadlines, made only to be extended, cause damaging uncertainty to business,” said Christy. “Businesses cannot survive on uncertainty.”
The board also voted 4-1 to send a letter to the governor urging him to consider all options, including a shelter-in-place order, for the entire state. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero announced a similar plan Tuesday.
“What we want to do is flatten the curve,” Supervisor Sharon Bronson said. “The sooner we act, the better. It’s all uncertain. This is all new. Today does not look like tomorrow, and we may have to act differently tomorrow as we learn more about this virus, but again, we need to flatten the curve.”
In addition to extending the business closures, the board adjusted the penalties that some businesses face for not adhering to these new requirements. While the initial measure established a misdemeanor charge for owners that violated the order, the county will now issue civil penalties instead. Businesses in violation of the order will be issued an initial warning and will receive financial penalties if the violation continues.
“It’s difficult to tie up law enforcement for such a matter so we feel much better issuing a civil penalty,” said county administrator Chuck Huckelberry.
The meeting also addressed the fact that certain businesses such as swap meets, farmers markets and hair salons that have continued to operate. While swap meets were not included in the order, Huckelberry said the Tanque Verde Swap Meet has voluntarily closed.
Last week, Ducey listed certified farmers markets, hair salons and barber shops as essential services in the state of Arizona, which are not required to close. Huckelberry said local farmers markets have developed specific guidelines to protect customers and employees as they continue to operate and provide necessary services for the public during this time.
As of Thursday afternoon, a total of 508 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Arizona with 75 known cases in Pima County. The state health department has identified eight coronavirus related deaths in Arizona, including two Pima County residents.
Photos for March 26: Tucson gets by during coronavirus pandemic
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Izzy Thesz, a junior at the University of Arizona and member of the club cheer team, practices her tumbling in a mostly empty central mall outside of the Albert B. Weaver Science-Engineering Library, on March 26, 2020.
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Two pedestrians wearing gloves and masks walk past, a closed down, Chicago Music Store in Downtown Tucson on March 23, 2020. People in Tucson, Ariz. are starting to wear masks and gloves due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
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Bill Bresnahan, center, practices his putting with other golfers while waiting to tee off at hole one of Dell Urich Course at Randolph Golf Course in Tucson, Ariz., on March 23, 2020. Golf is increasingly becoming more popular due to the urged “Social Distance” because of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
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A sign at Sewell Elementary School, 425 N. Sahuaro Ave., informs the public that schools will be closed until April 10th due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Photo taken in Tucson, Ariz., on March 25, 2020.
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Roman Martinez, freshman pre-business major at the University of Arizona, gets in a calisthenics workout using a Fit Core system at Mansfield Park, 2000 N. Fourth Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 25, 2020.
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A women walks down N. Craycroft Rd. wearing a mask and gloves, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in Tucson, Ariz., on March 25, 2020.
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Sixten Jordan, center, senior creative media and film major at Northern Arizona University, Abigail Jackson, senior political science and international affairs major at NAU, and Max, 8-year-old mix, eat lunch at Mansfield Park, 2000 N. Fourth Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on March 25, 2020. Due to numerous places closing because of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), parks are becoming a popular spot to hangout and partake in activities.
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Marina Cornelius, owner of Floor Polish Dance + Fitness, teaches her Cardio Party-O class via Periscope to her students on March 20, 2020. Cornelius says this is the first time she's trying to livestream classes and is learning as she goes.
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Sun sets behind the darkened Galaxy Theater closed in the aftermath of the COVID-19 restrictions, entering their second week in effect, March 25, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
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Chris Larsen pours himself a drink while chatting, and keeping his distance, from a few of his neighbors in Bario Viejo during the nightly get-together at Mendoza Park, March 24, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
