Arizona joined an ever-expanding list of states whose governors have issued executive orders encouraging residents to stay at home.

Gov. Doug Ducey did so on Monday, March 30. 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 at 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 31.

This order supersedes Sedona Mayor Sandy Moriarty’s emergency procla­mation, but Moriarty said she supports the governor’s decision. 

“The time is now for people to start treating social distancing like their lives depend on it — because it just might,” Moriarty said.

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.” 

Ducey went on to state that slowing the spread of COVID-19 will ensure the state builds capacity in its health care system and helps 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. 

In regard to the governor’s directive, Sedona City Manager Justin Clifton said, “I appreciate getting clarity from the state, especially after the governor’s executive order last week tying the hands of local communities. That issue is now moot and we can all focus on staying safe and getting through this unprecedented crisis.”

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.

The majority of city staff is working from home, with the exception of police, maintenance and wastewater. But, Clifton said employees are still responding to the public.

“Our team continues to be productive working from home,” he said. “Team members have regular calls to check-in. While our workload has certainly changed, some demands for service remain at normal levels. We are looking into training employees to help people navigate various assistance programs and finding other ways to use our resources. Over the last two weeks we’ve had hundreds of calls and emails about COVID-19.”