Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said Thursday he would not order businesses to shut down again or impose new restrictions even as some areas in the state are likely heading back towards “substantial spread” for COVID-19 by next week.
Those new cases seem to be localized to areas such as Pima and Coconino counties, or in hotspots that can be targeted. One cause could be the return of university students.
Arizona Department of Health Services Director Cara Christ says while coronavirus numbers may be about to get worse the state wants to avoid another shutdown.
“As we're looking at the data we are seeing that there are counties that will likely go back into substantial spread starting next week. So we're starting to work with those county health departments to identify if there are targeted areas where we can work specifically with those business owners,” Christ said.
Ducey’s chief of staff says closing down is not necessary because the situation has changed. He says there is more access to tests, with faster turnarounds, better contact tracing and enforcement of related rules and regulations.
