PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey held a press conference announcing a series of actions to combat the coronavirus across Arizona.
ACTIONS ANNOUNCED TODAY:
--- Arizona Gov. Ducey re-closes bars, movie theaters, gyms and water parks for 30 days
---In-person instruction for Arizona schools pushed back to August 17 amid COVID-19 spike
---Hospitals were told to implement a 'crisis standard of care' across Arizona
-------
Posted on a monitor behind Ducey during the conference was, "You are safer at home. The virus is widespread."
Governor Ducey has ordered all bars, gyms, movie theaters, water parks and tubing to close, effective 8 p.m. Monday.
There will be a targeted reopening for the establishments and it will remain in place for at least 30 days.
"In Arizona, we can pause and our aspirational goal is to get these establishments reopened in 30 days with enforcement by county health officials, but we're going to be monitoring the data. Along the way, and we're going to do everything necessary to protect public health," Ducey said.
Mass gatherings of 50 people or more, both indoor and outdoor, will be prohibited. Ducey also added that the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control will cease issuing special event licenses statewide.
The first day for in-person classes has been delayed until August 17, 2020, in order to allow more time for schools to implement safety precautions. Online classes can begin before the given date.
In the Monday press conference, Ducey says hospitals will add crisis standards of care.
"We're not going back to normal anytime soon," Ducey said Monday.
Governor Ducey said during a Thursday news conference that "Arizona is on pause" as health officials expect to see more spikes in coronavirus cases in the coming weeks.
Ducey again issued a plea to the public to follow social distancing guidelines, avoid crowds, and always wear a mask in public. However, he stopped short of issuing any additional policy change related to enforcing safety precautions.