Arizona joined an ever-expanding list of states whose governors have issued executive orders encouraging residents to stay at home.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey did so on March 30, after press time for the April 1 edition. The executive order follows new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and comes at the recommendation of public health officials who are tracking data specific to Arizona.
The governor’s order went into effect on Tuesday, March 31, at 5 p.m.
Though this order supersedes the orders made by Yavapai County and the various municipalities within the Verde Valley, local officials say that it does not mean a significant change in enforcement for the cities and towns in the area.
“Now it gives teeth to the sheriff’s department,” Yavapai County District 2 Supervisor Tom Thurman said. “They can cite you if you don’t adhere to it, but we’ve had very few incidences.”
Thurman clarified that the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office has no intention to cite individuals, but is now able to take advantage of the threat for businesses that are still holding gatherings.
During a news conference, Ducey said keeping Arizonans safe and healthy, while trying to slow the spread of COVID-19, remains the state’s top priority.
“Arizona citizens and businesses are already responsibly responding to this crisis,” he said.
“This order builds on the state’s efforts to protect public health by reminding Arizonans to maintain healthy habits and find alternative ways to stay connected with friends and loved ones while spending time at home.”
“We had a couple holdouts, a couple bars that were staying open, but we went and talked to them — our sheriff’s department went and talked to them — and they understood and they closed,” Thurman said. “I think we’re getting great response from people. There’s a little concern in Sedona that there’s too many people coming [from] out of town, but on the flip side, you get stir crazy in your house after a while. You’ve got to get out and enjoy.”
Ducey went on to state that slowing the spread of COVID- 19 will ensure the state builds capacity in its health care system and help protect residents.
“It’s important to emphasize that there are no plans to shut down grocery stores,” Ducey said. “People should continue to buy what you need for a week’s worth of groceries. I’m grateful to everyone making adjustments to fight this virus and protect others. Arizona will get through this, and we’ll do it together.”
Under Ducey’s order, Arizonans shall limit their time away from their place of residence or property, except:
- To conduct or participate in essential activities.
- For employment, to volunteer or participate in essential functions.
- To use any services or products provided by essential businesses.
- For employment if as a sole proprietor or family owned business, work is conducted in a separate office space from their home and the business is not open to serve the public.
- Officials are not allowed to ask anyone for documentation.
While the order cites a state statute regarding penalties, no penalties are actually stated in the order.
Since the order, some town services in various municipalities in the area have shut down, part of the ongoing slowing of all manner of functions throughout the area. The Cottonwood Public Library stopped its curbside checkout services on March 31, but other town services remain at the level they were before.
“Essential staff is still reporting, such as police department, public works and permitting for construction,” Clarkdale City Manager Tracie Hlavinka wrote in an email. “Non-essential staff is still conducting work from home. We will be holding our April 14 Town Council meeting via Zoom. The restaurants that are providing takeout will continue to do so. Our trails and river are still open to the public as long as they continue social distancing.”
“The bottom line is no, I don’t see anything changing,” Camp Verde Town Manager Russ Martin said. “Everything will be pretty much just extended from what was April 6 to April 30 to coincide with what the governor said, but it will be business the same as what we’ve been doing.”
“We’re still on limited services and rotating staff out,” Martin said. “The governor is in charge and we’re just following along with what everybody else should already be doing, and hopefully we’ll get through this, so we’re not adding anything else.”
Under the governor’s directive, “essential activities” include:
- Obtaining necessary supplies and services for family, household members and pets, such as groceries, food and supplies for household consumption.
- Engaging in activities essential for health and safety, including things such as seeking medical, behavioral health or emergency services and obtaining medical supplies or medication.
- Caring for a family member, friend or pet in another household or residence, which includes but is not limited to transportation for essential health and safety activities and to obtain necessary supplies and services for the other household.
- Engaging in outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running, biking or golfing, but only if appropriate physical distancing practices are used.
- Attending work in or conducting essential services which includes but is not limited to transporting children to child care services for attending work in an essential service.
- Engaging in constitutionally protected activities such as speech and religion, the democratic process to include voting or any legal or court process provided that such is conducted in a manner that provides appropriate physical distancing to the extent feasible.
On April 3, the Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce sent out an email to local businesses calling for barbers, hair and nail salons, tanning salons, tattoo parlors, spas, and massage parlors to also close down.
