Governor Ducey Leaves Mandatory Mask Wearing In Local Government’s Hands

Governor Doug Ducey held a press conference Wednesday to announce increased steps to help slow the spike of COVID-19 cases in Arizona. Ducey said “You are most safe at home. If you can’t stay home and you go out, you are most safe when you physically distance and if you do go out, wear a mask.” He stopped short by declaring that all Arizonans must wear a mask in public. Instead he said, “we are going to change and update guidance so that local governments can implement mask and face covering policies and determine enforcement.” Moments before Ducey’s press conference, Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans put a statement out on social media saying, “I have directed our city attorney to begin work on amending our local emergency proclamation to require masks in public.” She adds, “public health experts agree, the time to “MaskUpFlagstaff is NOW.” Ducey says the state’s businesses need to do a better job to “protect employees, customers and patrons of these establishments. If they don’t, there will be enforcement and will be held accountable.” Arizona is coming off a Tuesday where it saw 23-hundred new cases of COVID-19, which set a new high since testing began back in March.