GOVERNOR DOUGLAS A. DUCEY

STATE 
EXECUTIVE ORDER

Executive Order 2020-18

 

 

 

 

 

Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected
Physical Distancing to Mitigate COVID-19 Nansmission

WHEREAS, Arizona is committed to combating COVID-19, which represents a serious threat to
public health; and

WHEREAS, the State of Arizona has taken proactive actions to mitigate the risk of to
public health and address the econOmic impact of the pandemic; and

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, pursuant to A.R.S. 26?303 and 36-787, 1, as Governor of the
State of Arizona, issued a declaration of a Public Health State of Emergency due to the necessity to
prepare for, prevent, reapond to, and mitigate the spread of and

WHEREAS, on March 15, 2020, a statewide school closure was issued in coordination with
Superintendent of Public Kathy Hoffman, later extended on March 30, 2020, through the
end of the school year; and

WHEREAS, many businesses have greatly reduced their hours and operations as directed by health
of?cials and in an effort to protect the public health and slow the spread of and

WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020, following updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) issued updated guidance
that included canceling or postponing gatherings of 10 or more peeple, recommending telework and
other alternatives, restricting access to nursing homes, retirement homes and long-term care facilities
to provide critical assistance, and providing recommendations to restaurants and eating
establishments to mitigate the risk of transmission; and

WHEREAS, on March 19, 2020, Executive Order 2020-09 was issoed requiring restaurants in
Arizona counties with con?rmed cases to provide dine-out options only and required all
bars, and movie theaters in those counties to close; and

WHEREAS, on March 19, 2020, Executive Order 2020-10 halted all elective Surgeries in the State
of Arizona to free up medical resources and maintain the capacity for hospitals and providers to
continue offering vital services; and

WHEREAS, essential services were identi?ed in Executive Order 2020-12 as those speci?cally
necessary to promote the public health, safety and welfare of the state or assist others in ful?lling
such functions; and

 

WHEREAS, to combat and at the recommendation of the state?s health of?cials, the
State of Arizona must continue its efforts by further limiting potential exposure through a policy of
physical distancing while maintaining social connectedness; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to A.R.S. the Governor of Arizona, after a Declaration is
issued, has ?the right to exercise, within the area designated, all police power vested in the state by
the constitution and laws of this state?; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to A.R.S. during a State of Emergency declared by the
Governor, the Arizona Department of Health Services has primary jurisdiction, responsibility and
authority for:

(1) Planning and executing public health emergency assessment, mitigation,
preparedness response and recovery of the State;

(2) Coordinating public health emergency response among State, local and tribal
authorities;

(3) Collaborating with relevant federal government authorities, elected of?cials or other
states, private organizations and private sector companies; and

(4) Coordinating recovery operations and mitigation initiatives subsequent to public
health emergencies; and

WHEREAS, on March 30, 2020, the Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, based
on an epidemiological assessment of Arizona speci?c data and in alignment with CDC guidance,
recommended the state implement enhanced mitigation strategies.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Douglas A. Ducey, Governor of the State of Arizona, by virtue of the
authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State, including but not limited to A.R.S. 
26?303 and after consultation with the Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, do
hereby order, effective at 5:00 p.m. on March 31, 2020:

1. Arizona shall institute a ?Stay home, Stay healthy, Stay connected"r policy that promotes
physical distancing, while also encouraging social connectedness. This builds on actions the
state has already taken, and further memorializes some already in effect, to slow the spread of
19 and protect our citizens.

2. Under this policy, all individuals in the State of Arizona shall limit their time away from their
place of residence or property, except:

a. To conduct or participate in Essential Activities.

For employment, to volunteer or participate in Essential Functions.

c. To utilize any services or products provided by Essential Businesses.

Employment, if as a sole proprietor or family owned business, work is conducted in a
separate of?ce space from your home and the business is not open to serve the public.

e. No person shall be required to provide documentation or proof of their activities to
justify their activities under this order.

3. Arizonans are encouraged to improve social connectedness, resiliency, and help-seeking
behavior by:

 

 

Maintaining ongoing connections and communication with current social supports
and structures such as family, friends, neighbors and other social groups;

Educating fellow Arizonans on the negative health impacts of social isolation;
Developing habits and activities that increase resilience, such as physical activity,
virtual social gatherings, assisting neighbors, implementing or participating in
connection campaigns for at?risk populations, and participating in volunteer
activities;

Sharing informatiOn and awareness of newly available social services and resources
to improve the stability of families and reduce financial stressers; and

Sharing information and awareness of resources in the community by providing
information on where and how high risk populations can access suicide prevention
services throughout Arizona, including specific resources that are targeted to high
risk populations.

4. Under this policy, Essential Activities include:

a.

Obtaining necessary supplies and services for family, household members and pets,
such as groceries, food and supplies for household consumption and use, supplies and
equipment needed to work from home, assignments for completion of distance
learning and products necessary to maintain safety, sanitation and essential
maintenance of the home and residence.

Engaging in activities essential for the health and safety of family, heusehold
members and pets, including things such as seeking medical, behavioral health or
emergency services and obtaining medical supplies or medication.

Caring for a family member, friend, or pet in another household or residence, which
includes but is not limited to transportation of a family member, friend Or their pet for
essential health and safety activities and to obtain necessary supplies and services for
the other household.

Engaging in outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running, biking or
gol?ng, but Only if appropriate physical distancing practices are used.

Attending or c0nducting work or volunteering in Essential Functions Which includes
but is not limited to transporting children to child care services for attending work in
an essential service.

Engaging in constitutionally protected activities such as speech and religion, and any
legal or court process provided that such is conducted in a manner that provides
appropriate physical distancing to the extent feasible.

5. To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces when outside their residence or
property for Essential Activities, they shall to the extent possible maintain physical
distancing of at least six feet from any other person, consistent with guidance from the CDC.

6. All persons may leave their place of residence only for Essential Activities, to participate in
or receive Essential Governmental FunctiOns, or to participate in or ful?ll Essential Functions
outlined in Executive Order 2020-12.

7. Individuals shall limit use of public transportatiOn to when absolutely necessary to obtain or
conduct Essential Activities or attend work in an Essential Function. While using public
transportation, riders shall maintain to the extent possible recommended physical distancing
of at least six feet from other riders and the Operator.

8.

10.

ll.

12.

13.

14.

Individuals experiencing homelessness are exempt from this directive, but are strongly urged
to obtain shelter as soon as possible and to the maximum extent practicable.

Individuals whose residences are unsafe or become unsafe, such as victims of domestic
violence, are permitted and urged to leave their home and stay at a safe alternative location.

For purposes of this Executive Order, homes or residences include hotels, motels, shared
rental units, shelters, and similar facilities.

Businesses and entities that remain open shall implement rules and procedures that facilitate
physical distancing and spacing of individuals of at least six feet.

a. All businesses that are classi?ed as Essential Functions may remain open and
maintain operations, but shall establish and implement social distancing and
sanitation measures established by the United States Department of Labor or the
Arizona Department of Health Services.

b. Essential Functions conducted by governmental entities shall remain open.
Government leaders may adjust operations to promote physical distancing, including
but not limited to offering on-linc services as feasible, limiting the number of persons
in a physical space or limiting access to Specific facilities or areas to protect from the
spread of 

e. Employment in Essential Businesses and Operations means an essential employee
performing work for an Essential Function as identified in the ?Prohibiting the
Closure of Essential Services? Executive Order list.

Non-essential businesses may continue to operate those activities that do not require
in-person, on-site transactions and are encouraged to maintain at least minimum basic
operations that maintain the value of the business? inventory, preserve the cendition of the
business? physical plant and equipment, ensure security, process payroll and employee
bene?ts, facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from
their residences, and related functions to include mail pickup.

This Executive Order shall not be construed to prohibit werking from home, operating a
single owner business with no in-person, on-site public interaction, or restaurants and food
services providing delivery or take-away services, so long as proper physical distancing and
sanitation measures are established and implemented.

Arizonans are already acting responsibly during this public health emergency. The intent of
this Executive Order is to ensure that peOple maintain physical distance to the maximum
extent feasible, while enabling essential services to continue, protecting people?s rights and
slowing the spread of to the greatest extent possible. When people need to leave
their places of residence, whether to perform Essential Activities, or to otherwise facilitate
authorized activities necessary for continuity of social and commercial life, they should at all
times and as much as reasonably possible comply with physical distancing recommendations.
All provisions of this Executive Order shall be interpreted to effectuate this intent. Prior to
any enforcement action being taken to enforce this order in accordance with A.R.S. 26-317,
a person shall be noti?ed and given an opportunity to comply.

 

 

15. Pursuant to A.R.S. 26-307, no county, city or town may make or issue any order, rule or
regulation that con?icts with the policy, directives or intent of this Executive Order, including
any order, rule or regulation that limits an individual from conducting, participating in or
receiving Essential Services, Essential Activities or Non-essential Services as outlined in this
order and prior executive orders.

16. If any provision of this Executive Order or its application to any person or circumstance is
held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, this invalidity does not affect any other
provision or application of this Executive Order, which can be given effect without the
invalid provision or application. To achieve this purpose, the provisions of this Executive
Order are declared to be severable.

17. This Executive Order shall he in effect until April 30, 2020, unless extended.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my

hand and caused to be af?xed the Great Seal of the
State of Arizona.

Wm

GOVERNOR

DONE at the Capitol in Phoenix on this Thirtieth Day
of March in the Year Two Thousand and Twenty and
of the Independence of the United States of America
the TWO Hundred ?d orty-Fourth.

ATTEST: 1 
.. 

 

Secretary of State