As the summer heats up and residents of the Valley head north, businesses in some of Arizona’s most popular tourist destinations are trying to strike a balance between keeping people safe and recovering lost revenue.
Sedona City Manager Justin Clifton says some businesses have been closed and still have not reopened even as the local economy comes back to life. But overall, it’s a mixed bag both in terms of who is reopening and how far they’re willing to go to protect visitors and employees.
“So, some people remain closed," Clifton said. "Others remain very, very vigilant about the kinds of safety protocols they put in place. And some others are clearly more casual.”
Tourism and the hospitality industry drive Sedona’s economy, and Clifton says those more casual business owners are trying to provide their customers an escape.
“People in that industry understand what people are looking for. They’re looking for an experience," Clifton said. "You don’t go out to a restaurant just because you need food. You go out to a restaurant because you enjoy the ambience, the atmosphere, the views, the conversation. And so, we’re heard from some of those local merchants that they’re not comfortable implementing strict protocols because they believe that their customer is looking for some normalcy.”
Those folks may be encouraging the minimum physical distance, but they’re loathing to go much further than that.
The city is emphasizing the need to wear masks while shopping indoors or waiting for a meal as a measure of added protection. And that’s protection not just for individuals but also for the same businesses visitors are so eager to return to.
“The worst thing that could happen is we have to go back to some sort of more restricted state, and to some extent, that’s really up to all of us," Clifton said. "So, all I would really want to impart on anybody thinking about coming to visit Sedona is to say don’t take anything for granted. It’s really not that bad to adhere to most of those safety protocols.”
Now let’s turn to someone who’s trying to help local businesses around the state as they navigate these rocky waters.
Kimber Lanning is the founder of Local First Arizona. She says that while you’re seeing headlines about bars and clubs packed full of party-goers, there are plenty of business owners in the state who are trying to do it right.
The Show spoke with her about what efforts some businesses are taking to combat COVID-19.
