Gov. Doug Ducey has ordered barber shops, beauty parlors, nail salons, tattoo parlors and several other businesses to close by 5 p.m. Saturday, April. 4.
He also said parks should close basketball courts, playgrounds and other recreational amenities, but said that parks should remain open as much as possible.
While Ducey issued a stay-at-home on Monday, some local officials, including Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, have been calling on him to narrow his order to include the above businesses and others because they pose a risk of spreading COVID-19, the highly infectious novel coronavirus which is sweeping across Arizona and the rest of the United States.
“During these unprecedented times, providing clarity for small businesses and employers is an important measure to ensure we protect our citizens, slow the spread of COVID-19, and protect this critical part of our economy,” said Governor Doug Ducey. “As guidance from public health officials evolves, we will continue to release information and direction.”
Among the businesses that must close: barber shops; cosmetology, hairstyling, nail salons and aesthetic salons; tanning salons; tattoo parlors; spa, massage parlors and swap meets.
In the parks, Ducey called for the closing of basketball courts, splash pads, playgrounds and public restrooms.
He also said communal pools at hotels, condominiums, apartment complexes and parks should be closed by maintained by management.
The coronavirus had killed 41 people statewide, including 11 in Pima County, as of Friday, April 3, according to the morning report from the Arizona Department of Health Services. In Maricopa County, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has risen to 1,049. Pima County had 280 of the 1,769 cases of COVID-19 that had been confirmed in Arizona.
Arizona remains under stay-at-home order to discourage people from venturing out as the outbreak spreads. Because symptoms can take as long as two weeks to appear after exposure to the virus (and some people can remain entirely asymptomatic), health officials say community spread of the disease is far worse than the official numbers suggest. They have urged the public to avoid unnecessary trips and gatherings of more than 10 people.
Under the order, Arizonans are still able to shop for groceries, medical and household needs, and pet supplies. They can also go work, pick up a take-out meal from a restaurant, travel to take care of a family member, friend or pet, and can still go walking, hiking, biking and golfing, provided that they adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus has warned against people hosting house parties while the stay-at-home order is in effect, noting that house parties are not listed as an essential activity in Ducey’s order. Magnus said while police would typically give a warning to those who violate emergency orders, scofflaws could find themselves charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.
“The worst consequence would be if you pass this virus on to someone who has a serious illness or dies as a result,” Magnus said. “That could be a family member, a friend, or someone you’ve never met. Although it’s especially dangerous for older people and people with certain underlying conditions, this coronavirus can have serious consequences for anyone, regardless of age or health. No matter who you are, you are not immune.”
With schools now closed through the end of the academic year, teachers have transitioned to online learning and districts across the region are delivering lunch and breakfast meals to kids via school buses or setting up central locations.
In the face of the spreading virus, Ducey has also halted to evictions for 120 days; halted all elective surgery to keep hospital beds available for COVID-19 patients; loosened regulations to make telemedicine more available and increase eligibility for AHCCCS, the state’s Medicaid program; and activated the National Guard to assist in grocery stores as Arizonans clear the shelves.
While most parks and outdoor recreation areas remain open, many local jurisdictions had already closed playgrounds and ramadas to prevent kids and adults from mingling. Parking lots for some federal recreation areas—such as Sabino Canyon—have been closed.
Courts have rescheduled most hearings to avoid spreading the virus.
COVID-19 symptoms typically occur two to 14 days after exposure, and include headache, fever, cough, and shortness of breath, according to the CDC. However, some cases of the virus are entirely asymptomatic. Practices to avoid infection include social distancing (of at least six feet), washing your hands, avoiding unnecessary trips and not touching your face. COVID-19 can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on stainless steel and plastic surfaces up to three days. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, speak with a healthcare provider for medical advice.
According to the CDC, people who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to recover at home. Stay at home and avoid public transportation, but stay in touch with your doctor. If you do leave your home, wear a facemask and clean your hands often. If you develop more severe symptoms (persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, bluish lips) get medical attention immediately. Your local health authorities will give instructions on checking your symptoms and reporting information.
Have you caught COVID-19? Are you feeling ill? Is your small business struggling to make it? Have you lost your job as a result of the outbreak? Are you struggling to manage your kids while schools are closed? Tell us your COVID-19 stories. Send an email or photo to tucsoneditor@tucsonlocalmedia.com.
This article appears in Apr 2-8, 2020.
I think this cure is worse then the disease. Closing all parks and recreational areas is over kill. We are walking a thin line, going into a dictatorship . Depression, domestic problems will be on the rise. I realize this can be a deadly virus, so was swine flu, West Nile virus, Ebola, polio, in influenza of different strains and our country wasn’t locked down in such a fear based propaganda. Illegals have been coming over our borders and bringing here diseases that had been eradicated years ago. Makes me wonder why some people fight for them and go against our border laws. What is really happening here? We are told we are in this together, yet now we are told we can be arrested!
Try not to be such a selfish d-bag, jk. It’s not all about you and your racist paranoia.
Illegal is not a racist term. It is based on every person that enters the US in direct violation of our immigration laws. Thus the term illegal, because of the breaking of a law.
Try not to be such an ignorant d-bag, sarge. It’s not all about you and your primitive intellect.
Primitive intellect? I’m afraid you may be suffering from new age mumbo jumbo. Is 45 mph no longer 45? When did you start changing definitions words?
The FEAR of the Coronavirus is deadlier than the virus itself.
You see, when you are in fear, a reactive part of your brain called the amygdala takes control of your actions.
You enter into a fight-flight-freeze response.
(It’s what’s causing people to buy way too much toilet paper.)
And when you are in this reactive state, your body starts producing a steroid called cortisol to help you handle the stress.
And guess what cortisol does to your immune system?
It WEAKENS it!
We have bacteria, viruses, fungus and a whole array of foreign particles we are exposed to every day, but it’s your immune system that prevents you from getting sick.
When we’re stuck in fight-flight because of worries or anxiety, our bodies are wasting a ton of energy because it actually thinks it might die at that current moment.
And all that energy that’s gone now makes our bodies weaker and more vulnerable.
Peabo isn’t changing “definitions words” sarge. He’s got your number, plain and simple. You would understand that if you didn’t have primitive intellect.
P.S. : When you sock puppeted on this comment thread under the username jkmeyers, you forgot to include the e and the r between the j and the k.
Instead of arguing about things we know we disagree on, let’s be kind to each other. There are other things we DO agree on. We all need to rally together to get thru this & we’ll need to depend a lot on each other.
So true, Paula Wilson Hughes!
Too bad that the sock puppeting antagonists don’t understand any of that sage logic.
All due respect, Paula, this is precisely the time to fight.
Peabos a millennial twat and AZ/DC is his bitch. How’s that for primitive intellect? Those of us that have lived long and studied world affairs that aren’t pumped at us in terms of propaganda. Peabos, go back to watching the view and see what they want you to believe next week.
Why do I get the feeling a Darwin Award is in your future, Frankie?
Darwin Award? Hah! The people who have “won” Darwin Awards would be offended by your remark. Frankie would have to work his way up to Darwin Award smarts.
I think you hit the male on the head with that one Frank. The know it alls sure don’t know much. Makes me wonder what schools they went to.
Did you run to type that?
Dicey is just another traitorous politician. Kiss your liberty goodbye America. A nation so gullible and stupid as to fall for this propaganda farce deserves to be enslaved.
Sorry, Ducey
No Gonzalo Martinez, you had it correct the first time. Typing the word Dicey may have been a happy accident, but it worked so well.
What male did frankie hit on the head sarge? You better fess up quickly or be willing to have a charge of aiding and abetting against you. I’ve heard that sock puppeting trolls are very vulnerable “wives” to the “husbands” that reside in prison. Unless you actually enjoy that sort of treatment, I suggest that you squeal.
Otherwise, you may squeal like a pig. You have seen Deliverance, right?