Tucson businesses not deemed ‘essential’ ordered to close for 3 weeks

PHOENIX — Tucson Mayor Regina Romero set new restrictions in place for the city Friday night.

Romero signed a proclamation ordering businesses not deemed essential to close at 8 a.m. on Saturday, calling for a shutdown across the city through April 17.

Romero also strongly advised some businesses Gov. Doug Ducey deemed essential, such as hair and nail salons, spas, barber shops and other “personal hygiene services” shut down for the same timeframe.

“Although the Governor’s Executive Order defines these businesses as ‘essential,’ I am recommending that they close because they involve human interactions that conflict with CDC guidance on social distancing,” Romero said in a tweet.

On Monday, Ducey outlined an expansive list of essential services that cities and counties are prohibited from shuttering. His action came after mayors took the lead in closing bars and gyms and prohibiting dine-in service at restaurants.

The decision aligns with the broader state response to the pandemic, as Ducey recently outlined an expansive list of essential services that cities and counties are prohibited from closing. This action followed earlier measures by mayors to shut down bars and gyms and to prohibit dine-in service at restaurants.

The new restrictions come as state officials reported 665 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday morning, up from 508 the previous day, with 102 cases in Pima County, where Tucson is located. Arizona has also confirmed 13 deaths from the virus.

For more on how cities are responding to the pandemic, see this report on recent developments.

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