On Monday, June 29, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced bars, gyms, water parks, tubing operators and movie theaters would be closed statewide for 30 days.
The order is limited to bars with a series 6 liquor license, i.e., bars that are primarily drinking establishments rather than restaurants that just serve liquor or have a bar, and beer and wine bars with a series 7 liquor license.
Ducey’s order states that as of June 28 there had been 73,908 diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in Arizona including 1,588 deaths, and the state is seeing an increase in the number of cases and hospitalizations.
“The increased case numbers and hospitalizations also necessitate the need for an increased focus on precautionary measures by both businesses and individuals,” he wrote. “Data has shown that community spread continues to grow at an exponential pace and is greatest among the demographic of 20 to 44 year olds.”
It goes on to state that there has not been sufficient time for mask mandates and limiting groups to have a demonstrable effect on containing the spread and additional measures need to be taken to ensure quicker containment. It is also necessary to impose additional measures to protect public health and safety and mitigate the strain on our health care providers by slowing the spread of COVID-19.
Effective Monday, June 29, organized public events of more than 50 people are prohibited unless the city, town or county in unincorporated areas has approved the event, and only if adequate safety precautions are implemented, including physical distancing measures.
Ducey wrote that a city, town or county in unincorporated areas may deny a request for an organized event due to public health concerns related to COVID- 19. Any approval may be subject to certain conditions or restrictions not inconsistent with this or any other executive order.
Nothing in this order shall inhibit a person from engaging in constitutionally protected activities such as speech and religion, and any legal or court process provided that such is conducted in a manner that provides appropriate physical distancing to the extent feasible.
Pools may continue to operate as follows:
— Pools operated as part of a public accommodation, such as those at hotels but not those at multi-housing complexes, shall prohibit groups larger than 10 from congregating together in or near the pool.
— Privately owned pools located in public areas such as those at multi-housing complexes or other privately owned facilities may continue to be open provided that signage is included at all entrances to the pool reminding people to maintain physical distance and that groups larger than 10 should not congregate.
To receive authorization to reopen, entities shall complete and submit a form as prescribed by the Arizona Department of Health Services that attests the entity is in compliance with guidance issued by ADHS related to COVID- 19 business operations. The form shall also be posted in an easily visible public place on the entity’s premises. ADHS shall provide information to the public on those entities that have submitted such attestations on its website.
