East Valley businesses recommend reopening economy in mid-May
Apr 27, 2020, 4:25 AM | Updated: 10:21 am
(AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX — The East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance sent a memo to Gov. Doug Ducey on Friday recommending the state’s economy begin to reopen May 15.
The memo by the group, which represents more than 5,000 businesses from eight chambers of commerce in the East Valley, outlines a three-phase approach. It follows recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reopen businesses and adds a few points.
“Our businesses need clarity, they need a date to begin ramping up their business models, and they need clear guidelines to ensure their customers and employees are provided a safe environment,” the memo reads.
Businesses not deemed essential were ordered closed as part of Ducey’s “stay-at-home” order that went into effect March 31 and is set to expire Thursday. On Wednesday, the governor said he welcomes input from stakeholders as he considers whether he’ll extend the “stay-at-home” order.
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The first phase in the memo by the EVCCA recommends businesses start to reopen May 15 with up to half of their workforce returning to work.
“The key here is that we need a date to begin a discussion,” Kathy Tilque, president and CEO of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and EVCCA legislative committee chair, said.
“The 15th was chosen because it’s still another more than three weeks out,” she added. “It gives us time to better analyze the metrics that are going to be required to make sure we have leveled the curve [for the coronavirus].”
The first phase also recommends businesses have sanitizing protocols, practice social distancing, install sneeze guards and have certain employees – including those working in retail stores, hair and nail salons, and tattoo parlors – wear face masks.
Schools and bars should remain closed in the first phase, while gyms and large venues – including sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues and churches – can start to reopen with strict social distancing and sanitizing protocols in place.
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Visits to senior living facilities and hospitals are also recommended to continue to be prohibited in this phase.
Phase two for reopening businesses, which begins June 1, recommends businesses encourage telework whenever possible. Some restrictions are eased while more businesses, including bars and daycares, can reopen with strict distancing and sanitizing protocols.
By the beginning of phase three on June 15, more restrictions are lifted but some remain for special industries, such as senior living facilities, hospitals and large venues.
The memo also recommends $4 million in grants be provided to Arizona chambers of commerce to distribute to small businesses. It also calls for $10 million in loans for small businesses.
Tilque said this aid is needed given that many of their members haven’t received any acknowledgement or were turned down from the loans or line of credit options that the federal government made available to small businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic.
She added there are businesses that cannot weather this crisis through much longer.
“If we wait until June to start making these decisions to reopen the economy, we’re going to end up with a large amount of small businesses just totally out of business,” she said. “And so that’s why we think it’s key to start focusing on phasing in a process.”
