The following information was provided by Mayor Regina Romero's office:
Moments ago, Mayor Regina Romero signed a new proclamation implementing new orders to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The proclamation orders businesses not deemed “essential,” as defined by Governor Ducey’s Executive Order issued on Monday, to close effective 8 am Saturday, March 28th, and to remain closed through April 17th, at which time the Mayor will consider whether an extension of the order is necessary.
The order strongly advises that hair and nail salons, spas, barber shops and other “personal hygiene services,” as defined by the Governor's Executive Order, also close for the same time frame. Although the Governor’s Executive Order defines these businesses as “essential,” Mayor Romero is recommending that they close because they involve human interactions that conflict with CDC guidance on social distancing.
“In the absence of clear statewide direction, we are taking swift action at the local level to protect the health and well-being of Tucsonans,” Mayor Romero said. “We cannot afford to wait any longer; COVID-19 is not waiting and neither can we. If Governor Ducey is unwilling to take decisive action at the state level, then he needs to untie the hands of local jurisdictions and allow us to make decisions that are best for our individual communities. This is particularly critical with respect to the operations of ‘personal hygiene’ and other services that conflict with CDC social distancing guidelines and could jeopardize public health.”
“Although these are painful decisions, we have a moral obligation to do what is in the best interest of our residents and protect public health. I urge Governor Ducey to take immediate action with the issuance of a statewide “stay-at-home” order restricting travel to only truly essential functions and asking Arizonans to stay at home to the greatest extent possible. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of the people of Tucson and all Arizonans.”
“After consulting with my colleagues on the City Council, the City Manager, City Attorney, medical professionals, small businesses, and other stakeholders, I have determined that these actions are necessary to protect public health.”
The full proclamation is attached. An executive summary is included below:
Executive Summary - Through this Proclamation, the Mayor of the City of Tucson:
- Strongly advises all persons in Tucson to STAY AT HOME except as may be needed to address essential needs (like getting food and prescriptions, traveling to work if employed in an Essential Function, and getting some exercise and fresh air);
- Orders all businesses and establishments that are not Essential Functions (as defined by the Governor’s Executive order issued Monday) to close to the public, effective 8 am Saturday, March 28th and through Friday, April 17th;
- Strongly advises that certain businesses and establishments that the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-12 defines as “essential functions” also close to the public, because those businesses and functions are not in fact critical or essential during this pandemic emergency and involve human interactions that conflict with Social Distancing Requirements and CDC guidance on social distancing. Specifically, the following businesses are advised to close to the public: hair and nail salons, spas, barber shops, and other “personal hygiene services.”
- Strongly advises that all persons, at all times, practice and adhere to Social Distancing Requirements, even when engaged in Essential Functions; and encourages all businesses, including those providing Essential Functions, to allow their employees to work from home through telecommuting or other means to the greatest extent possible in order to limit the gathering of employees at the work site.
