Triadvocates Navigator Special Edition: May 12, 2020

Arizona stay-at-home order to expire on Friday; Gov. Ducey announces first phase of reopening

This afternoon, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced that his stay-at-home order will expire this Friday (May 15) at midnight. In its place, effective Saturday (May 16), will be a new executive order (EO 2020-36) that aligns with gating criteria issued by the White House and CDC. Two other executive orders – EO 2020-24 (the travel advisory) and EO 2020-33 (an earlier amendment to his initial stay-at-home order) – will also expire at the end of the week, but all other executive orders will remain in place.

Additionally, the governor announced that pools, spas and gyms will be allowed to open tomorrow (he had previously tweaked pieces of the stay-at-home order, allowing salons, barbers and brick-and-mortar retailers to partially open last week and restaurants to resume dine-in service yesterday). The governor also made it clear that as soon as his stay-at-home order expires on Friday, major league sports will be welcome in Arizona, though games would be played without fans and with enhanced safety measures in place. In particular, he’s had several conversations with Major League Baseball, which is said to be aiming for July to throw out a first pitch.

In tandem with the governor’s announcements today, the Arizona Department of Health Services released additional guidance for businesses and customers as industries continue to reopen. Here’s a quick rundown on what was released today:

• Pools, with physical distancing and enhanced sanitation, can reopen tomorrow (May 13). This includes public pools at parks, apartment complexes and hotels. You can find detailed guidance here.
• Gyms and fitness providers, with physical distancing and enhanced sanitation, can reopen tomorrow (May 13). You can find detailed guidance here.
• Spas, with physical distancing and enhanced sanitation, can reopen tomorrow (May 13). You can find detailed guidance here.
• Many places of worship, while never formally closed, opted to temporarily change or suspend services. As they resume operations, you can find guidance here.

According to the governor, this is phase one of a three-phase plan. Calling on Arizonans to continue social distancing, he said this first phase is a “green light to continue going forward on the way out of this pandemic” but “not a green light to speed.” The state recommends avoiding group events and gatherings if physical distancing can't be maintained. Vulnerable individuals with underlying health conditions and those above age 65 should still stay at home and leave the house for essential services only. The governor also encouraged businesses whose employees have been teleworking to continue doing so in accordance with White House guidance.

No word yet on how the state Legislature plans to proceed.