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Arizona governor takes further steps to reopen businesses

Citing “continued positive data trends,” Gov. Doug Ducey announced the next steps Arizona will take in gradually reopening its economy.

The governor issued an executive order Monday allowing beauty salons and barber shops to resume their appointment-based services this Friday, May 8.

Three days later, restaurants and coffee shops may resume on-site dining, with the caveat to maintain physical distancing measures.

While there were no announcements regarding pools and gyms, Ducey said he is working with the fitness industry, promising further announcements in the near future.

Ducey also issued an executive order requiring expanded reporting of COVID-19 related information to residents of long-term care facilities and their next of kin and guardians, along with any prospective residents.  It is a move to help residents as well as potential residents and their families to make informed decisions.

“Arizona continues to focus on protecting public health, supporting those in need and ensuring we’re taking the necessary steps to return stronger,” Ducey said Monday.

While efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 are working, “Arizonans are still encouraged to limit time away from home,” he said.

Calling it a steady approach, Ducey said the State will continue to work with the Arizona Department of Health Services “as we breathe life back into our businesses” and offer guidance on reopening.

Last week, Ducey announced that retail businesses in Arizona could resume partial operations, including curbside delivery, on May 4.

The governor’s office continues to work with restaurants and businesses throughout Arizona to determine best practices for protecting public health while gradually reopening businesses, he said.

Contacted Monday afternoon, Adrianne “Annie” Villalobos, co-owner of La Casita Cafe in downtown Globe, said she and her aunt, Liz Villalobos, plan to continue with take out and delivery until they can fully reopen.
“Right now, there are a lot of restrictions and we would rather stay with take out. We do not want risk any of our employees getting sick,” Villalobos said. “We will see how it goes to continue take out.”

 

Dine-in at local restaurants ended March 31

Dine-in at local restaurants ended March 31, when Gila County was found to have its first positive case–a Payson woman in her 40s.

Before that, Gila County was one of the few in Arizona without a confirmed case of COVID-19. After discovery of the positive case, the county had to abide by Ducey’s March 11 executive order closing those businesses deemed non-essential. 

Two days earlier, the Globe City Council voted to close all bars and movie theaters within city limits. While restaurants were ordered to close their on-site dining areas, many were able to continue food service by way of drive-throughs, takeout or delivery. 

Business as usual continued for bars and restaurants outside Globe city limits, until the county’s March 31 announcement.

Barber shops and beauty salons were closed following Ducey’s April 3 executive order.

 

14 COVID-19 cases now in Gila County

 

With eight confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Globe, five cases in Payson, and one in Hayden, Gila County has 14 confirmed cases within its boundaries as of the afternoon of Monday, May 4.

 

Two of the 14 afflicted have now recovered and there have been no deaths, according to the Gila County Division of Health and Emergency Management, which also announced that 701 tests had been completed resulting in a total 687 negatives so far.

 

The health department first announced the fourteenth case on May 1.

 

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