On June 29, Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order to pause the operation of bars, gyms, indoor movie theaters, water parks and tubing. The order was effective at 8 p.m. on Monday, June 29, and will apply for at least 30 days.
The executive order also limits organized public events to 50 people unless the event is approved by the city, town or county if adequate safety precautions are implemented.
The Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control will temporarily stop issuing special event and festival licenses. Outdoor gatherings at swimming pools will be limited to 10 people, and the executive order gives local governments the authority to enforce closures and restrictions.
“Our numbers continue to increase in Arizona, and we are going to take some additional action today to contain this virus and get back on track,” Ducey said at an afternoon news conference today.
During the conference, Ducey encouraged citizens to stay home since the virus is widespread. He also stated that masks are working and slowing the curve of COVID-19.
The order was preceded by a weekend of packed bars, clubs and pools despite Arizona’s spikes in COVID-19 cases. Arizona’s current numbers as of Monday, June 29, are 74,553 total confirmed COVID-19 cases and at least 1,588 confirmed deaths.
Data from the Arizona Department of Health Services has shown that the age demographic most affected by COVID-19 are 20- to 44-year-olds.
On March 11, Ducey issued a declaration of a Public Health State of Emergency, and on March 31, he issued a stay-at-home order. Ducey’s stay-at-home order was officially lifted on May 15.
The new pausing order addresses that there has not been sufficient time for mask mandates and limiting groups to have a demonstrable effect on containing the spread.
“We have found some situations in categories where we need to take more aggressive actions,” Ducey said, “and that’s what we’re going to do today.”
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