Sedona AZ (May 13, 2020) – Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced the current stay-at-home order will expire on May 15, 2020 and a new Executive Order will begin on May 16, 2020, and gave new guidance for pools, spas, gyms and major league sports in this announcement:
Governor Doug Ducey today announced that the Stay At Home order in Arizona will be ending on May 15 and replaced by new guidance for the next stage of economic recovery. The new guidance aligns with gating criteria issued by the White House and Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and aims to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 resurgence, protect vulnerable populations, and guide the reopening of businesses with enhanced physical distancing and safety measures in place.
Arizona’s new Executive Order, which takes effect on Saturday, May 16, builds on Arizona’s comprehensive efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health, including: ramping up testing availability and frequency; implementing tracking of key health metrics such as reported symptomatic cases and emergency room usage; standing up surge hospital capacity to be used as needed; expanding statewide contact tracing; bolstering supply chains for personal protective equipment for frontline medical workers and emergency responders; implementing enhanced safety protocols to protect those living and working in high-risk facilities such as nursing homes; and providing public health guidance for businesses and individuals to ensure continued physical distancing.
“Since the start of this pandemic, Arizona has taken a calm and steady approach to protecting health and slowing the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Ducey. “Today, our hospitals have capacity to provide care to those who need it; our businesses are implementing and adapting to new physical distancing measures; and data shows Arizona is headed in the right direction. It is time to move forward with the next steps of Arizona’s economic recovery — while continuing to make health and safety our number one priority. I’m grateful to all Arizonans for their partnership and cooperation during these trying times. By continuing to follow the data and recommendations of public health officials, we can continue to move forward safely and responsibly together.”
Governor Ducey also announced today an accelerated plan to test all staff and residents of long-term care facilities as well as individuals within Arizona’s prisons. As part of this plan, the Arizona Department of Health Services will partner with private-sector labs to expand testing to 147 long-term care facilities and provide antibody tests for correctional officers. Additionally, major league sports can resume limited reopening, without fans, this Saturday, May 16.
The Arizona Department of Health Services also released additional guidance for businesses and customers as more industries resume partial operations. This guidance includes:
- Pools, with physical distancing and enhanced sanitation – can reopen Wednesday, May 13 (guidance)
- Gyms & Fitness Providers, with physical distancing and enhanced sanitation – can reopen Wednesday, May 13 (guidance)
- Spas, with physical distancing and enhanced sanitation – can reopen Wednesday, May 13 (guidance)
While never formally closed, many places of worship opted to temporarily change or suspend services in order to follow physical distancing guidelines. As they resume operations, the Arizona Department of Health Services released guidance for enhanced physical distancing and safety precautions.
View today’s Executive Order here.
View daily Arizona updates here.
More information
For questions, email questions@sedonaaz.gov.
The city of Sedona reminds residents to stop the spread through personal responsibility including frequent washing of hands, adhering to physical distancing, wearing a mask in public settings and staying home if sick. To learn more information on the city’s response to COVID-19, and what resources are available for the community and businesses, go to www.sedonaaz.gov/covid19.
In compliance with the stay-at-home order City Hall will remain closed to in-person access until May 18, 2020.
Health resources
Look to the following CDC, state and county resources for more information on COVID-19:
- Coconino County Health and Human Services COVID-19 hotline: 928-679-7300 and website.
- Yavapai County Health Services hotline: 928-442-5103 and website.
- Coconino County COVID-19 testing information.
- Statewide hotline on all COVID-19-related issues: dial 211.
- CDC website on coronavirus.
- Tips on coronavirus prevention and 10 ways to manage respiratory symptoms at home.
- Arizona Department of Health and Human Services information.
- CDC’s travel notices.
- The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America.
