Sinema says Ducey not doing enough to protect Arizonans from coronavirus

PHOENIX — U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema doesn’t believe Arizona’s governor is doing enough to protect the state’s citizens from the coronavirus outbreak.

Sinema called on Gov. Doug Ducey to enforce social distancing guidelines recommended Monday by President Donald Trump and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people and avoid eating and drinking at bars at restaurants.

“The message is very simple. It is the duty of all Arizonans, including our state government, to enforce the guidelines that we’ve heard from the president and the CDC,” Sinema told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday.

Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff have ordered bars to close and banned dine-in service, among other restrictions enacted to prevent crowds from gathering.

Ducey and state officials have encouraged similar actions but haven’t made them mandatory.

“Our decisions have been guided by subject matter experts and have been informed by facts and it will continue to be that way,” Ducey said Wednesday during a press conference.

Sinema also urged Ducey to take action in a series of tweets Wednesday, citing continued health risks to the public.

Arizona reported six new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the state total to 27.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego on Tuesday was applauded by Sinema for her decision to indefinitely close bars and limit restaurants to pick-up, drive-thru and delivery orders.

.@MayorGallego and @TucsonRomero join @Coral4AZ to slow the spread of this virus and protect their citizens.

Thank you Kate https://t.co/uNWZ3bQQcy

— Kyrsten Sinema (@kyrstensinema) March 17, 2020

“The best way to manage the coming spread of the virus is to engage in aggressive social distancing tactics,” Sinema said. “It’s very important our state government and municipalities and our business owners and individuals all do their part.”

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ali Vetnar contributed to this report.

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