Gyms, bars serving food, and other paused businesses can operate under health protocols statewide
Phoenix AZ (October 2, 2020) – Reflecting the continuing decline of COVID-19’s community spread across Arizona, all counties now meet benchmarks for safely reopening businesses such as indoor gyms and fitness centers, bars serving food, and movie theaters.
In Thursday’s update of the Arizona Department of Health Services Business Dashboard, Graham County advanced to the moderate transmission stage, joining all other Arizona counties except for Greenlee County, which remains in the minimal transmission stage.
“The choices Arizonans have made in the interest of public health have gotten us to this milestone,” said ADHS Director Dr. Cara Christ. “COVID-19 remains in our communities, so it’s essential that everyone continue masking up, maintaining physical distance, washing our hands thoroughly and often, and taking other steps to reduce the spread.”
On June 27, Governor Ducey issued an Executive Order that paused the reopening of several specific industries with operations that are considered by public health to have a high-risk of spreading COVID-19, specifically indoor gyms and fitness centers, bars and nightclubs, waterparks and tubing, and movie theaters. It also limited indoor and outdoor gatherings to no more than 50 people. Since this pause, Arizona has seen a decline in its cases and percent positivity, an increase in hospital capacity, and an improvement in other indicators.
The state’s plan for safely reopening these industries requires that the three benchmarks on the ADHS Business Dashboard be met for 14 days, with a 12-day reporting lag, to move between transmission phases. These are cases per 100,000 residents, percent positivity, and COVID-like illness as a percentage of hospitalizations.
To reopen, affected businesses must submit an online attestation stating they are in compliance with public health protocols and guidelines prescribed by ADHS, including occupancy limits, a mask requirement, and steps to reduce groups from congregating. The businesses must post the attestation form where customers can see it. Additional details are available in the ADHS COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses.
For more information about COVID-19, please visit azhealth.gov/COVID-19.