PHOENIX — Businesses and restaurants in Arizona are now required to enforce social distancing within their venues, to limit groups to no more than 10 people, to have six-foot markers or signage at entrances, and to reduce their capacity, among other requirements, to help contain the spread of COVID-19, Governor Doug Ducey said Wednesday.
Restaurant servers, hosts, and employees who interact with customers will also be required to wear face masks or face coverings, should their town or city mandate it.
Gov. Ducey also announced that local governments would be allowed to decide whether or not masks would be required in their cities or towns.
Previously, most of these were merely guidelines or recommendations issued by the Arizona Department of Health Services and U.S. Centers for Disease Control. It was up to the individual restaurants or businesses to ensure they were following the guidelines.
City law enforcement and regulatory agencies will be in charge of enforcing the new rules. Though, the focus will be on first educating those businesses who are out of compliance.
"The intent of this Executive Order is to ensure that the State of Arizona continues to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to the greatest extent possible," the executive order states. "All law enforcement and regulatory agencies that have enforcement authority under existing law should focus first on educating and working to promote best practices to accomplish this goal. Upon an initial violation, notice of the provisions of this order and the associated guidance from ADHS shall be provided and an opportunity to comply shall be offered."
There are no fines or penalties listed in the executive order for repeat violations.
See the complete requirements for businesses and restaurants below.
Requirements for businesses:
Requirements for bars and restaurants:
