Arizona Releases Requirements For Reopening Gyms, Bars
ARIZONA — Arizona released phased reopening guidelines Monday for currently closed industries — gyms, bars, movie theaters and pools. The businesses have been closed since the state saw an uptick in coronavirus cases in late June, which Gov. Doug Ducey extended on July 23.
A judge ordered Ducey to develop a plan for reopening on Aug. 4 after several gym owners sued. Ducey appealed the decision but a judge said he must release a plan while litigation is pending.
The benchmarks are split into substantial, moderate and minimal community transmission stages. Arizona's data indicates the state is currently in the substantial phase, so these businesses will remain closed for the time being, according to a news release from the Arizona Department of Health Services.
"[The department] advises keeping these restrictions in place for the time being, but is providing the following metrics for industry leaders and businesses to understand when a general reopening could be considered," the statement continued. "Businesses have the opportunity through the attestation process for review of individual circumstances in the event that they are denied the ability to reopen for public health reasons."
All three of these benchmarks must be met for 14 days in order to move from the substantial to moderate phase: 10 to 100 cases per 100,000 people, five to 10 percent of tests coming back positive and five to 10 percent hospitalized with a COVID-like illness. At that point, gyms, bars, pools and theaters will be allowed to open at half capacity once implementing the department of health's mitigation requirements. Bars without a food license will remain closed until Arizona enters the minimal stage.
Arizona can only enter the minimal phase of reopening when they are less than 10 cases per 100,000 people, less than five percent of tests coming back positive and less than five percent hospitalized with a COVID-like illness.
The plan was formulated with help from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the White House Coronavirus Task Force and other public health experts, the statement said.
All businesses will also be required to fill out a form proving they are in compliance with the department's requirements. Guidance on community spread in the state can be found in a tracker on the department of health's website, which will be updated every Thursday.
Arizona reported 600 new COVID-19 cases and four known deaths Monday, following several weeks of declines.
This article originally appeared on the Across Arizona Patch
