Councilman says there’s no move to drop ‘ridiculous’ Phoenix mask rule

PHOENIX – Only a vote by the Phoenix City Council can lift the COVID-19 mask restrictions that remain in place in Arizona’s capital city, and so far, there’s no sign of that happening, a council member said.

“There’s no move to do anything,” Councilman Sal DiCiccio told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Monday.

“The only thing that puts pressure on the city of Phoenix is when the public gets upset, like with the parks. Until the public starts calling, writing, texting, doing whatever they have to do to their elected officials, nothing is going to change.”

City officials announced in a policy update on its website, “The mask mandate within the City of Phoenix will remain in place until such time as the Council votes to terminate or amend the declaration.​”

Face-covering policies were adjusted by the federal health officials Thursday to allow fully vaccinated people to stop wearing masks outdoors and in most indoor settings.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance is likely to open the door to confusion, since there is no surefire way for businesses or others to distinguish between those who are fully vaccinated and those who are not.

People “walk in to stores, they don’t know what to do, what not to do,” DiCiccio said, adding the Phoenix mandate created confusion. “It’s ridiculous.”

At least two Phoenix suburbs, Chandler and Scottsdale, dropped their mask requirements soon after the CDC’s announcement.

“The city of Phoenix has gone overboard on this thing,” DiCiccio said of COVID-19 safety measures.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow @KTAR923