PHOENIX – Restaurants, gyms, cinemas, bowling alleys, water parks and bars serving food for dinner can open immediately to 100% capacity, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced on Friday, raising one of the state’s mitigation strategies amid to COVID in progress 19 pandemic.
Companies will still have to impose social distance, mask requirements and increased cleaning and continue to follow the guidelines recommended by the CDC, according to the executive order.
“Today’s announcement is a measured approach; we’re not clear yet. We need to continue practicing personal responsibility. Wear a mask. Social distance. Stay home when you’re sick and wash your hands often,” said Governor Ducey in a statement. ready.
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Our most recent guidance continues this approach. Today, I am issuing an Executive Order that expires the occupancy limits for companies in Arizona, preserving the distance and masking the mitigation measures that our companies have successfully implemented in this pandemic. 4/5
– Doug Ducey (@dougducey) March 5, 2021
The executive order also prevents mayors and local jurisdictions from issuing “extreme” orders that close companies, the Governor’s Office said in a press release announcing the executive order.
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In recent months, bars, restaurants, gyms, cinemas and water parks have been limited to 25% or 50% occupancy due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Office of the Governor cited the reduction of COVID-19 cases in the state and the increase in COVID-19 vaccinations as reasons to loosen restrictions.
Earlier this week, Governor Ducey signed an executive order requiring all public schools in the state to offer face-to-face classes by March 15 or after spring break. Schools can still have virtual learning.
Governors in Mississippi and Texas have also lifted restrictions in their states, including masking requirements. Arizona, however, does not require a mask for the entire state, although several cities and counties have approved their own measures.
To date, more than 515,000 people have died in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 16,000 Arizonans died of COVID-19 complications, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
To date, more than 1.3 million people in Arizona have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, of which 700,000 have received both doses, according to the ADHS online data panel.