Come Saturday morning, Arizonans will no longer be living under a stay-at-home order.
Gov. Doug Ducey said Tuesday that the state has reached certain milestones suggesting a downward trend in COVID-19 outbreaks, making him comfortable in allowing the order, issued on March 30, to expire on May 16.
Ducey also announced that pools, spas, gyms and fitness centers — those that are public or in hotels and apartment complexes — will be allowed to open Wednesday, May 13.
However, Pima County officials said they will not yet open county-run pools and splash pads.
Ducey also said that beginning Saturday, major league teams are welcome to start playing games in Arizona, but spectators won't be allowed in the stadiums and arenas for now.
One key figure the governor is using to support his decisions is a decline in the percentage of tests for the virus coming back positive. At one point the rate was in the 10% range; the most recent figure is 5%, says the Arizona Department of Health Services.
"We're tough as saguaros," editorial cartoonist David Fitzsimmons says. He says he saw a video made for the people of Detroit and became inspired to do his own take for Tucson.
However, the initial tests performed for months in Arizona were only of people who showed symptoms of COVID-19, at least in part because of limited testing supplies.
In the past few weeks, however, state Health Director Cara Christ has allowed testing of all who think they may have been exposed. By definition, that increases the pool of those tested to include more who are less likely to have the virus.
At his news conference Tuesday afternoon in Phoenix, Ducey reacted angrily to questions about whether relying on those test results was a mistake. "I'm not going to allow you to manipulate the metrics that have been presented,'' he told reporters.
Both Ducey and Christ, when asked Tuesday whether COVID-19 has peaked in Arizona, said they did not know, but that the state will continue to increase testing and to monitor data.
"Arizona is headed in the right direction," Ducey said, adding that the state is also "prepared if things were to turn for the worse."
His stay-at-home order allowed people to go out for "essential" services or work, and the governor has gradually allowed certain other businesses to reopen over the last couple of weeks — with restrictions and safety measures — including stores, salons, barbershops and restaurants.
Ducey acknowledged that not all Arizonans will feel comfortable returning to their pre-pandemic activities.
"I would like them to feel safe by following the decisions that we've made over the course of time to protect public health, to ramp up what was necessary to disperse these large groups, the information that we have that shows the slow of the spread of this disease, and how we, as a state, working together, on each problem in its turn, have solved it,'' Ducey said.
"What an Arizonan decides to do is up to them,'' he added.
The number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Arizona reported Tuesday was 356, bringing the total so far to 11,736. There also were 20 deaths reported Tuesday in Arizona; the state’s death toll to date is 562.
If more people mingling in public results in an uptick in infections, Ducey said the state is more prepared than it was two months ago. "We know much more," he said. "We know where the vulnerable populations are.''
That category includes those who are 65 and older and with underlying health conditions. Ducey said there will be more testing of residents as well as staff at nursing homes and other assisted-living facilities. And he is not ready to lift his prohibition against outsiders visiting residents living there.
Along the same lines, Ducey had some advice for the most vulnerable.
"The best practice they can have is to stay at home,'' he said. "They should avoid returning to work where distancing is not practical and every precaution should be taken.''
He also praised the Arizona residents who have practiced physical distancing. "Please continue it,'' he said.
For businesses, Ducey advised continued social distancing, protective equipment, temperature checks where necessary and contact tracing.
In allowing pools and gyms to reopen, Ducey issued guidelines calling for physical distancing and enhanced sanitation.
Pima County officials immediately responded that they haven't yet decided when to reopen county-run pools and splash pads.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors will vote Wednesday, May 13 to add a number of protective measures into the county’s health codes as businesses reopen.
Earlier this week, the Pima County Health Department issued a list of guidelines for restaurants, pools, gyms, fitness centers, hotels, resorts and attractions, which are intended to protect employees and customers even as the state’s stay-at-home order lifts. If adopted, many of the new measures would be enforceable by law for the duration of the pandemic.
“It is important that we understand that the COVID-19 pandemic is not a transitory issue and it will be with us for some time,” said County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry in a memo Tuesday.
For restaurants and bars, this means that facilities must limit their indoor occupancy to 50% or lower, keep a minimum of 6 feet between tables and that dine-in services only be allowed if a party calls ahead first, among other things.
For places such as pools, fitness centers and other attractions, the guidelines are similar. Under the proclamation, indoor occupancy at these facilities will also be limited to 50% capacity unless 6-foot physical distancing standards can be achieved with higher occupancy. There must also be proper distancing between any equipment, chairs, tables or desks.
All facilities would also be required to take precautions such as daily wellness and symptoms checks, frequent hand-washing and being equipped with cloth masks and gloves at all times. In addition, all facilities will need to post their cleaning logs online to document the cleaning of public areas.
If the amendment to the county’s health code is passed, health inspectors will inspect facilities to ensure they are complying with the new measures. Civil penalties will be issued for those who do not adhere. The first two violations will consist of written warnings and the opportunity to correct the issue. The third and subsequent violations will result in a $500 fine.
Photos for April 23: Tucson gets by during Coronavirus Pandemic
Tucson, coronavirus
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Erika Munoz, owner of Seis Kitchen, hands over a bag of meals to Michael Gallagher Carondelet, a registered nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital, to distribute to other nurses and hospital workers, on April 23, 2020. The donation was made in conjunction with A+C (Athletes/Artists+Causes) Foundation's “Project Frontline.” In two deliveries, 400 meals (200 poc chuck chicken and 200 puerco verde burritos) will be given to medical personnel at Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital. The particular donation was made possible by the Houston Astros' Pitching Coach Brent Strom, who lives in Tucson.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Hospital workers wheel in carts full of catered meals donated by Seis Kitchen to Carondelet St. Joseph's Hospital, on April 23, 2020. The donation was made in conjunction with A+C (Athletes/Artists+Causes) Foundation's “Project Frontline.” In two deliveries, 400 meals (200 poc chuck chicken and 200 puerco verde burritos) will be given to medical personnel at Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital. The particular donation was made possible by the Houston Astros' Pitching Coach Brent Strom, who lives in Tucson.
Tucson, coronavirus
Updated
Kristi Hall, a sixth grade teacher at Desert Sky Middle School, participates in planning a lesson with a fellow teacher on Zoom, at her home on April 17, 2020. Schools in the Vail School District are supposed to open in July due to their year-round school calendar. Plans are being made for the possibility of students returning to the physical classroom.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Bry Kelley, a warehouse assistant, places a pallet filled with food down next to other items donated to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona on on April 21, 2020. Forty-one thousand pounds of flour, pasta and canned goods were donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The donation is part of an ongoing global effort by the church to address immediate needs of people and orgainzations due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Tucson, coronavirus
Updated
A pallet of food is placed down next to other items donated to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona on on April 21, 2020. Forty-one thousand pounds of flour, pasta and canned goods were donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The donation is part of an ongoing global effort by the church to address immediate needs of people and orgainzations due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Tucson, coronavirus
Updated
Christian Bergman, 4th year University of Arizona medical student, takes the temperature of a patient outside the Z Mansion, 288 N. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 19, 2020. Medical students from the University of Arizona and other universities volunteer to help the homeless population with the growing concerns of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) within the homeless population. “This is a vulnerable population in our community; they can’t defend themselves in a society already running short on supplies and resources,” said Bergman. Medical students and medical personal help by giving out food, drinks with electrolytes and masks to the homeless. Those who are sick, medically impaired or have been exposed to those with COVID-19 are isolated outdoors in tents on the property. As of Sunday April 19, there were 13 individuals whom are isolated in tents.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Lekha Chesnick, 1st year medical student at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, talks with a homeless man (whom choose to not give his name) outside of the Z Mansion, 288 N. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 19, 2020. Medical students from the University of Arizona and other universities volunteer to help the homeless population with the growing concerns of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) within the homeless population. Medical students and medical personal help by giving out food, drinks with electrolytes and masks to the homeless. Those who are sick, medically impaired or have been exposed to those with COVID-19 are isolated outdoors in tents on the property. As of Sunday April 19, there were 13 individuals whom are isolated in tents.
Tucson, coronavirus
Updated
Christian Bergman, 4th year University of Arizona medical student, checks on a patient outside the Z Mansion, 288 N. Church Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 19, 2020. Medical students from the University of Arizona and other universities volunteer to help the homeless population with the growing concerns of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) within the homeless population. “This is a vulnerable population in our community; they can’t defend themselves in a society already running short on supplies and resources,” said Bergman. Medical students and medical personal help by giving out food, drinks with electrolytes and masks to the homeless. Those who are sick, medically impaired or have been exposed to those with COVID-19 are isolated outdoors in tents on the property. As of Sunday April 19, there were 13 individuals whom are isolated in tents.
Tucson, coronavirus
Updated
Elliott Dumont, owner of Roadrunner Bicycles, 6177 E. Broadway Blvd., works on a customer's bike on April 22, 2020. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has not slowed down bike shops. With many people at home, they are bringing bicycles for repairs and buying new ones for exercise. Dumont says he's booked out till the first week of May for tuneups on bikes.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Elliot DuMont, owner of Roadrunner Bicycles, 6177 E. Broadway Blvd., far left, helps Ethan Sasz, far right, and his son, Evan, 10, with a mountain bike purchase on April 22, 2020. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has not slowed down bike shops. With many people at home, they are bringing bicycles for repairs and buying new ones for exercise. Dumont says he's booked out till the first week of May for tuneups on bikes.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Marcella Montoya waits in her vehicle as general manger David Kessler brings out her order, as Bear Canyon Pizza serving their customers despite COVID-19 restrictions, April 22, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Kitchen manger Koa Hoffmann tosses dough while working up a crust for a call-in order as he and few others keep cooking at Bear Canyon Pizza despite COVID-19 restrictions, April 22, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Alvaro Enciso, a local artist, works in one of his studios at his home on April 9, 2020. Every Tuesday Enciso travels into the Sonoran desert to post crosses where migrants have died after crossing illegally over the U.S./Mexico border as part of a project he's titled Donde Mueren Los Suenos / Where Dreams Die. With the outbreak of the coronavirus disease his six year project is on hold and instead he works on other artwork at home.
Tucson, coronavirus
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Dolly Spalding works on a pen and ink drawing in her apartment at the Redondo Tower Apartments on April 7, 2020. During her quarantine, Spalding has been creating drawings of all the Greek goddesses. She is collaborating with Emlyn Boyle, an artist from Ireland, and plans to publish a book with Boyle's writings.
