Governor Doug Ducey poses after receiving his second dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Tucson on March 24, 2021. (Photo by Twitter / @ uarizona)
PHOENIX – Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Thursday withdrew the state’s remaining COVID-19 mitigation requirements, including local facial mask mandates.
Under a new executive order, all state business requirements have been changed to recommendations and bars can return to their pre-pandemic operations.
In addition, events of more than 50 people, including youth sports, no longer need the approval of local governments.
Companies still have the option of requiring social distances and masks.
Today we are in a different place and we are also much smarter. I am confident that Arizona businesses and citizens will continue to act responsibly as we return to normalcy. Details on the new mitigation phase can be found here: https://t.co/JLKsoeAuzU 7 /
– Doug Ducey (@dougducey) March 25, 2021
“The measures taken last summer allowed Arizona to fight COVID-19,” Ducey said in a press release. “I want to thank the local leaders who supported these efforts with their own measures and the companies that implemented them.
“Today we are in a different place and we are also much smarter. I am confident that Arizona businesses and citizens will continue to practice the basics and act responsibly as we return to normalcy. ”
The order says local governments cannot adopt any regulations related to the COVID-19 pandemic and specifically mentions mask warrants.
It also overturns a handful of previous executive orders issued by Ducey during the pandemic.
Ducey never ordered a state mask warrant. In June 2020, it gave authority to local jurisdictions on the issue. Other than that, it has retained the power to regulate the entire COVID-19 response of the state into its own hands.
Most of the state ended up with mask warrants, but the remaining ones can no longer be applied on Thursday’s order.
The announcement came when the state exceeded the 3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered.
“As we’ve said all along, vaccine distribution is our best way to get back to normal and I want to thank the millions of Arizonans who have rolled up their sleeves to get distribution and uptake so much ‘Success,’ Ducey said.
He also noted that the number of coronavirus cases has been declining for ten weeks and that hospitalizations are at their lowest levels since early October.
Ducey has been easing state restrictions related to COVID, as metrics have improved since they peaked in January.
Earlier this month, it lifted capacity restrictions on companies covered by its June 2020 executive order. However, until Thursday, requirements for physical distancing and the use of masks remained in place for restaurants. , bars, nightclubs, indoor fitness centers, indoor theaters and water parks.