Phoenix Mayor Gallego hopeful Gov. Ducey will issue face mask policy

PHONEIX — Amid a statewide surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego is hopeful Gov. Doug Ducey will issue policy regarding wearing face masks in public.

Gallego told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Tuesday that she spoke to Ducey last week for the first time since March to discuss public safety issues.

“I’m hoping he will deliver big news,” Gallego said.

“I hope the governor will either put in place mandatory masks at essential businesses and out in our community, or give cities and mayors the opportunity to do so.”

Gallego also said Ducey pledged to facilitate better communication between the two Arizona leaders during their phone call.

“He committed to me I wouldn’t have to find out big news from Twitter,” she said.

Gallego is among a growing list of Democratic Arizona leaders — including U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton and U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego — who are urging Ducey to enact a face mask policy.

On Thursday, Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ encouraged residents to wear face masks in public during a press conference led by Ducey.

It marked the first guidance from the state of Arizona about wearing masks.

Neither Christ or Ducey wore masks during the press conference.

On Tuesday, Arizona reported 2,392 additional coronavirus cases — a new daily record high.

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

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