PHOENIX — Every day, Arizona faces new challenges with how to combat the spread of COVID-19. State leaders have issued restrictions, warnings and recommendations on how to stay safe and healthy, but are we truly getting the information we need?
FULL SECTION: Everything you need to know about coronavirus
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich weighed in Wednesday in a one-on-one interview with ABC15 calling on state agencies, universities, and even private companies to be more forthcoming with information regarding their efforts in planning for and fighting against COVID-19.
"I think that people would be complying with a lot of these orders a lot more and making sure they’re doing the social distancing, making sure they’re washing their hands, covering their mouth if they knew how serious this problem is," said Brnovich.
Tuesday, Brnovich issued a legal opinion on whether state and local officials can enforce violations to Emergency Declarations.
The latest, signed by Governor Doug Ducey Monday, asked Arizonans to stay home, unless to conduct essential business or exercise. However, specifics on how it'll be enforced weren't detailed in the order.
"It’s up to the governor to define his executive order," said Brnovich.
Thursday, Phoenix city council members plan to hold a special meeting to discuss whether to add further restrictions beyond those listed in Ducey's executive order.
Mayor Kate Gallego has been outspoken in her disagreement with Ducey's list of essential businesses allowed to stay open during this pandemic, including hair salons, nail salons, and golf courses.
"Manicures are not essential during this time of global pandemic," said Gallego. "You cannot social distance during a manicure."
"It's the policymakers, whether that’s the local city council, the mayors, or the governor that are the ones that are making those policy decisions with the data and information they have" added Brnovich.
"At the end of the day the governor will define the terms and conditions of his order and he will let us know whether he thinks what the cities are doing is consistent or inconsistent with the order.”
