Ducey urges businesses to operate safely, responsibly as more reopen

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey urged businesses Monday who are reopening to follow the guidelines set forth by the Arizona Department of Health Services or risk the consequences.

“We’ve unhappily but responsibly had to address in a targeted fashion some of our restaurants, our bars, our nightclubs and our gyms,” Ducey said in Monday’s press conference.

Dr. Cara Christ said the department has received over 800 complaints since Thursday of businesses not following reopening protocols. However, around 25% pertained to businesses not affected by the executive order and another 25% weren’t valid complaints.

“We are reviewing them and going out as we see high-risk, high-priority complaints come in,” Christ said.

The state health department has set up compliance measures for people to report violations online through the state health department or with the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.

Bars operating as restaurants, gyms, theaters, waterparks and tubing operators in Maricopa county were allowed to reopen Thursday as the county met Arizona’s COVID-19 business benchmarks.

The businesses are allowed to reopen after completing an online attestation form that they will operate at a reduced capacity and while following other health safety requirements that vary by industry.

As of Monday, at least 1,205 businesses have filed attestations to reopen.

Coronavirus cases continue to trend down, but if businesses don’t act responsibly, the state could see a serious increase in numbers comparable to mid-June.

“If people will follow the guidance things will go much better,” Ducey said. “We want you to be able to operate safely.”

Over the weekend, three bars had their liquor licenses indefinitely suspended by the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses for violating reopening guidelines.

On Saturday, the Arizona Department of Health Services forced Bottled Blonde and Casa Amigos in Old Town Scottsdale to close. Similar action was taken Sunday at Glow Shots and Cocktails on Mill Avenue in Tempe.

Christ said the shutdowns came after notifications from law enforcement and complaints online. The violations included patrons not socially distancing, dancing and no food being served.

On Monday, the state health officials reported no new coronavirus-related deaths and just 174 new infections. Arizona’s total cases stand at 201,835 with 5,029 deaths.

Related

Arizona unveils compliance measures for businesses set to reopenArizona health officials indefinitely suspend liquor license of Tempe barScottsdale bars Bottled Blonde, Casa Amigos' liquor licenses suspended2 contemporary fashion brands to make Arizona debuts at Scottsdale QuarterCien Agaves Tacos & Tequila expands with new East Valley location“Today” show host Savannah Guthrie begs for “someone to come forward” in her mother’s disappearance