ARIZONA NEWS

Phoenix, Tucson banning dine-in restaurant service, closing bars

Mar 17, 2020, 1:10 PM | Updated: 3:43 pm

PHOENIX – Arizona’s two largest cities are declaring states of emergency in response to the coronavirus threat and ordering a closure of bars and limiting restaurants to delivery, drive-thru and take-out service.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero announced the steps, which will go into effect at 8 p.m. Tuesday night, on social media.

Romero said the restrictions apply to gyms, food courts and other venues where groups congregate and will last at least until the end of the month. Many such businesses had already closed or restricted service on their own.

In a video posted to Twitter, Gallego said the decision was made after consultation with business leaders, hospitals and health care associations.

She went on to describe a potentially harrowing scenario.

“What they’ve told me is that right now they are preparing to treat people in tents because we don’t have enough beds, that we expect doctors to have to make heartbreaking decisions about who gets a heart ventilator and who doesn’t,” she said.

Gallego added that she was told the state of emergency would help save lives.

Earlier Tuesday, the Arizona Department of Health Services issued guidelines “strongly” recommending that restaurants in COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak areas discourage dine-in service.

As of Tuesday morning, Arizona had reported 20 positive tests for COVID-19, nine in metro Phoenix and four in the Tucson area.

Monday night, Flagstaff, northern Arizona’s largest city, said it was banning dine-in service and closing bars and other businesses where people gather.

Other cities across the Phoenix area have been reducing services and closing municipal buildings.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

A teenager was fatally wounded in a shooting on Oct. 30, 2024, according to the Phoenix Police Depa...

KTAR.com

Police trying to identify suspect after teen killed in south Phoenix shooting

Police are trying to identify a suspect in a south Phoenix shooting that claimed the life of a teenager earlier this week.

9 hours ago

Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting...

Associated Press

Apache County Attorney has salary stripped, law license suspended

The Apache County Attorney who faces criminal charges of misusing public funds will be stripped of his salary just days before standing unopposed for reelection as a Democrat.

11 hours ago

Maricopa County employees...

Associated Press

Maricopa County employees taking on extra shifts to help process early ballots

Maricopa County employees are taking on extra shifts to help election workers with an around-the-clock operation to process early ballots that are an unusually long two pages.

13 hours ago

Phoenix Children's...

Angela Gonzales/Phoenix Business Journal

Phoenix Children’s walks away from giant health insurance contract

Phoenix Children's, one of the nation's largest pediatric health systems, turned down an $80 million offer from one of Arizona's largest health insurers in a heated contract dispute.

14 hours ago

Judge gavel and baby crib...

Payne Moses

Suspect arrested 38 years after sexual assault, kidnapping case opened in Phoenix

After 38 years, a suspect accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a Phoenix toddler was identified and arrested.

15 hours ago

Follow @kstonezone...

Sponsored Content by Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Act Now: Secure Your HVAC Equipment Before Prices Rise in 2025!

Phoenix, AZ – As the year draws to a close, Collins Comfort Masters is urging homeowners and businesses to take advantage of current pricing on HVAC equipment.

...

DISC Desert Institute for Spine Care

The best methods to make your back pain disappear for good

Are you struggling with back pain that will not go away?

...

Sanderson Ford

3 storylines to get you revved up for the 2024 Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals training camp is just a couple weeks away starting on July 25, and Sanderson Ford is revved up and ready to go.

Phoenix, Tucson banning dine-in restaurant service, closing bars