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Most Arizona Counties Have Hit COVID-19 Benchmarks For Reopening

Only three counties in Arizona have not reached the benchmarks required to reopen many of their businesses.

While the 12 others have met moderate or minimal COVID-19 transmission rates, there are still restrictions depending on the business and what county you are in.  

While Gila, Graham and Yuma remain closed, 10 counties have reached moderate transmission rates, meaning movie theaters, fitness centers, gyms and water parks can reopen at reduced capacity.

While bars and nightclubs can also reopen, they must agree to convert to restaurant-style service. There is no dancing, mixing or milling around permitted, until they hit the benchmark for minimal transmission rates. And so far, only La Paz and Greenlee counties have hit that.

Those two counties are given the most leeway in restrictions because their positive rates have reached below 3% for at least two consecutive weeks. Their nightclubs can resume business as usual at 50% capacity; gyms and fitness clubs can operate with increased capacity compared to the other 10 counties. 

Jill Ryan joined KJZZ in 2020 as a morning reporter, and she is currently a field correspondent and Morning Edition producer.