Gov. Doug Ducey will allow local jurisdictions to require face masks in public. That’s a reversal of his previous rule barring local mandates. Several Arizona cities are already making plans.
Some Arizona mayors had been planning to require face coverings with or without the governor’s blessing. Before Ducey’s announcement, the mayors of Tucson and Flagstaff tweeted that they would amend emergency proclamations to require masks.
I have directed our City Attorney to work on amending our local emergency proclamation to require wearing masks in public.
— Regina Romero (@TucsonRomero) June 17, 2020
Public health experts agree - the time to #MaskUpTucson is NOW.
I have directed our City Attorney to begin work on amending our local emergency proclamation to require wearing masks in public.
— Coral (@Coral4AZ) June 17, 2020
Public health experts agree - the time to #MaskUpFlagstaff is NOW.
Mayor Anna Tovar of Tolleson was also planning on moving ahead with a mask requirement. She said the governor’s concession to mayors is a step in the right direction.
“We need to have that local control at our city to make the decisions that best fit our communities’ needs, especially when it comes to the safety of our residents,” Tovar said.
The mayor of Mesa tweeted he would issue an emergency proclamation to require masks.
1/2 Everyone must pitch in to stop the spread of #Covid19 so our children can safely return to school + small businesses can keep operating. I'll be issuing a proclamation requiring the use of masks in the @CITYOFMESA.
— Mayor John Giles (@MayorGiles) June 17, 2020
We're all in this together. #MaskUpArizona #MaskUpMesa
The mayors of Phoenix and Glendale tweeted that their city councils would vote on the issue.
Today @dougducey authorized AZ cities to mandate wearing face masks in public spaces. I just called an Emergency Special Voting Meeting for Friday morning, June 19 for the @GlendaleAZ City Council to discuss & vote on a measure to protect the public from #Covid19 . #MaskUpAZ
— Mayor Jerry Weiers (@MayorWeiers) June 17, 2020
1/ Today @dougducey gave the power back to cities to implement our own health and safety measures to fight rising #COVID cases. This is the needed step to allow cities to protect residents.
— Mayor Kate Gallego (@MayorGallego) June 17, 2020
