As more and more businesses are allowed to reopen, the key message now is to ensure that it’s done in as safe a manner as possible.
City Manager Justin Clifton pointed out that as Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s order recommending Arizonans stay at home will expire on Friday, May 15, with it comes the lifting of certain restrictions the state’s been under for nearly two months.
“Ultimately, all of the firm, restrictive measures are being replaced at this point with recommendations and guidelines,” Clifton said during the Tuesday, May 12, Sedona City Council meeting. “I think it’s really important that we recognize that they are guidelines and similar to other guidelines, and frankly other laws, we will have a mixed degree of compliance. Some people will comply strictly and some people may disregard those guidelines.”
Clifton said while some are quick to point out some are not following the recommendations – such as not wearing masks – they are also seeing businesses, residents and visitors abiding by the guidelines.
“It’s true that not all businesses are participating but when you take everything in total, it should have a meaningful impact in continuing to protect people,” he said. “In this reopening phase we also need to continue to emphasize that people should take precautions to protect themselves. Staying at home whenever possible, wearing masks and washing hands will protect people pretty significantly even if those around them are not taking the same precautionary measures.”
As a way to encourage these measures, the city has teamed with the Sedona Chamber of Commerce for the “Sedona|Safe.Clean.Ready” campaign, which is based on a list of commitments that businesses may voluntarily adopt, such as employees wearing masks and other widely accepted hygiene practices. To date, more than 125 businesses have signed up and, if they meet the guidelines of the program, will be recognized by the chamber.
In addition to the businesses, customers are urged to wear a protective mask, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, and stay home if sick or in contact with someone who is sick. Guidelines can be viewed at SedonaSafeCleanReady.com.
Clifton was asked what the city will be doing in terms of enforcement of the new guidelines. He said the city’s approach will be with a “gentle touch” with an emphasis on education because the intent is to avoid creating an environment where people may argue or, worse, resort to violence. And above all, he said the city is not in a position to enforce these measures given by Ducey because they are recommendations, not requirements.
“If people are going to go out looking for violations, they are likely to find them all over the place every day,” he said. “It’s not unlike if you wanted to sit out on the side of any road and look for speeders — you will find them all over, every day. The bottom line is, expect to see people doing their own thing. We’re not going to be able to find all of them or talk to all of them. We’re going to try and manage this the best we can.”
Clifton went on to say that the steps that have been taken over the last two months appear to be working and the statistics show that.
Just because businesses are allowed to reopen, some businesses are choosing to wait, as are some patrons.
