Falling in line with Flagstaff, Tucson and Phoenix — as part of an updated proclamation of emergency — the city of Sedona is requiring bars, restaurants and some businesses to cease on-premise operations for now. 

A press release from the city states that — because the safety of residents is the most important consideration and to mitigate the potential spread of the novel coro­navirus — Sedona Mayor Sandy Moriarty updated her March 17 emergency order to mandate that all restaurants, food courts, cafes, coffeehouses, retail food facili­ties and other similar businesses and establishments are prohibited from serving food and beverages on their premises. following busi­nesses, effective from 11:59 p.m., Thursday, March 19, to 11:59 p.m. on March 31. 

 Businesses are encouraged by the city to offer food and beverages using delivery service, window service, drive-through service or drive-up service, and to use precautions to mitigate the poten­tial transmission of coronavirus, including social distancing. 

The following businesses are closed to occupancy by the public: 

• Bars, taverns, brew pubs, breweries, microbreweries, distill­eries, wineries, tasting rooms, special licensees, clubs and other similar businesses and establish­ments offering alcoholic beverages of spiritous liquor for consumption on-premises. 
• Theaters, cinemas and indoor and outdoor performance venues. 
• Museums. 
• Gymnasiums, fitness centers, recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, indoor exercise facilities, exercise studios, yoga and barre studios, and other similar facilities. 
• Bingo halls and other recre­ational or entertainment facilities. 

This does not prohibit an owner, employee, contractor, vendor or supplier of a local business from entering, using or occupying that place of business in their profes­sional capacity, the release stated. 

The restrictions do not apply to any of the following: 

• Grocery stores, markets, convenience stores and other similar businesses and establish­ments that offer food and beverage that is not for on-premises consump­tion. According to City Manager Justin Clifton, farmers markets are being treated like grocery stores. 
• Pharmacies and drug stores. 
• Food banks and food pantries. 
• Restaurants located within health care facilities, nursing homes, shelters, group homes, places of worship or similar facilities. 
• Restaurants located at institutions of higher learning. 
• Vendors and concessionaires located within the Sedona Airport. 
• Banks and financial institutions. 

All businesses and houses of worship are encouraged to limit gatherings and practice social distancing. Anyone who violates this proclamation will be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. 

The order did not clarify who would enforce this order or who would be charged if a business stayed open. 

According to the order, the city is in contact with the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services, Coconino and Yavapai counties and their epide­miologists, emergency response teams and policy leaders, health care professionals and other stakeholders to monitor the situation daily. 

In an email, Yavapai County District 3 Supervisor Randy Garrison wrote, “At this time the chairman of the board has no plans to close restaurants or bars, but does stand by our health department and recommends that our citizens show restraint and follow best practices, which include washing your hands often and limiting social interac­tion as much as possible.” 

Six of seven members of council were reached by the Sedona Red Rock News about the closure order. 
n Mayor Sandy Moriarty: “We recognize this will have a significant impact to businesses but the risk of not acting poses far greater threat. Nothing outweighs the importance of protecting the health and safety of residents in these unprecedented times,” she stated in the press release. She did not return calls for followup questions by press time. 

• Vice Mayor John Martinez: He said he will be meeting with Moriarty and City Manager Justin Clifton to see what type of assistance there may be to help those businesses affected. 
• “Unfortunately, there will be short-term pain for long-term gain. We are a tourist town with a lot of people coming here to visit. We need to do something,” he said. 
• Councilwoman Jessica Williamson: She said she is very worried about the impact this will have on local businesses and the overall economy but that safety is paramount. 
• “Protecting the safety of our resi­dents and visitors is the most impor­tant thing. I believe in the predictions that it’s only going to get worse.” 
• Councilman Bill Chisholm: He said he understands the balance between public health and safety and that of civil liberties and the economic impact this will have. He said he’s hoping the city can provide assistance or guidance for businesses. 
• “It’s one of those tough decisions with pros and cons on either side of the argument,” he said. 
• Councilman John Currivan: “Given the acceleration of the virus, it’s best to err on the side of caution,” he said. 
• Councilman Scott Jablow: “Our primary responsibility is the health, safety and welfare of the people of this city,” he said. “Because of the extensive economic impact to our residents, businesses and workers, this course of action is the most difficult decision I have had to make since taking office. With only one reported case in Coconino, Sedona has yet to have any cases as of yet. Hopefully by doing this there won’t be any.” 
• Councilwoman Janice Hudson: Did not return calls for comment by press time.