The first full week of Arizona State University’s fall semester has come to a close. The university reported a little over 160 cases of COVID-19 among the ASU students and staff this week.
Last weekend, photos showing students at parties with limited social distancing and mask use made the rounds on social media, raising concerns about a potential outbreak on the campus.
Detective Natalie Barela with the Tempe Police Department says they’ll be focusing on educating homeowners who throw parties and issuing citations as necessary.
“Obviously the first course of action is going to be making that contact, educating and identifying if there’s a violation," Barela said. "If the officer deems that there is a violation, they can issue a citation. Every call is different. Citations are going to be ultimately given if necessary.”
Barela says that most businesses on Mill Avenue have been compliant with social distancing guidelines, and officers will be enforcing the governor’s executive order there this weekend.
