Tucson Restaurants, Bars To Close Under Coronavirus Emergency

TUCSON, AZ — Restaurants and bars in Tucson are temporarily closing to dine-in customers as the city bolsters its response to the new coronavirus and takes steps to help prevent its spread.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero declared a state of emergency Tuesday, saying the restrictions will also apply to gyms, food courts and other places where people congregate. The restrictions will last for about a month.

The order limits restaurant traffic to takeout, delivery and drive-thru, beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego also declared an emergency in her city Tuesday, required all bars to close and limited restaurant traffic to takeout, delivery and drive-thru, beginning at 8 p.m.

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“My top priority, above all else, is to protect public health,” Romero tweeted. “This is a painful decision that I do not take lightly. Our restaurants and small businesses need clear, uniform direction, and this order provides them exactly that.”

Flagstaff, in northern Arizona, also ordered bars and restaurants temporarily closed to seated traffic, Gilbert in the Phoenix metropolitan area declared a state of emergency, and Tempe was preparing to vote this week on measures to fight the coronavirus, the Arizona Republic reported.

Mayors have broad powers when a state of emergency is declared, and can also direct public safety responses and order curfews. Gilbert Mayor Jenn Daniels’ declaration gives her the authority to close municipal buildings to the public, something that isn’t allowed under Gilbert ordinances without a state of emergency.

Gilbert hasn’t ordered businesses to shutter or imposed law enforcement measures, but the mayor now has the authority to do so. Daniels told the Arizona Republic a state of emergency allows Gilbert swift, more efficient access to cleaning supplies and supplies for first responders. “You do this in order to basically put yourself ahead of the line, if you will,” she said.

Earlier in the day Tuesday, the Arizona Department of Health Services “strongly” recommended restaurants in areas where COVID-19 has been confirmed discourage dine-in service.

Arizona had 18 confirmed coronavirus cases as of 2 p.m. Tuesday, according to a coronavirus case tracker from Johns Hopkins University.

Health officials are urging Americans nationwide to stay home to prevent an onslaught of COVID-19 cases that could overwhelm hospitals, which happened in Italy, one of the countries hardest hit in the coronavirus pandemic. The World Health Organization’s designation refers to the global spread of the disease, not its severity.

Many people who are infected with the coronavirus won’t experience severe symptoms, but can spread the virus to vulnerable Americans age 60 and older and those with compromised immune systems. Health officials spoke directly to millennials Monday, imploring them to keep their social gatherings at 10 or fewer people, and follow the same social distancing practices encouraged for all Americans.

Helpful Links

• Coronavirus Live U.S. Updates: Tuesday, March 17
• The New Coronavirus: Your Questions Answered
• The Coronavirus Dictionary: Social Distancing, Flatten The Curve
• How Does The Coronavirus Test Work?
• How Canceled Events, Quarantines Save Lives
• Coronavirus: Why You Must Act Now
• 12 Work-From-Home Tips
• How To Properly Clean Your Phone In The Age Of Coronavirus

COVID-19 symptoms usually appear within 14 days, but can show up as soon as a couple of days after exposure to the coronavirus. They’re similar to the flu and include coughing, fever, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath.

People experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to call their health care provider or, alternatively, the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, which is taking COVID-19 calls, at 1-844-542-8201

Don’t go directly to urgent care or the clinic. If you are sick, you’ll risk spreading the illness to others. Call ahead of your arrival so health care providers can take appropriate precautions.

The virus is spread through the air by coughing or sneezing; by close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands; or by touching an object or surface already contaminated by the virus.

To prevent the spread of the coronavirus:

• Cough or sneeze into your elbow, not into your hands.
• Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds under hot water, taking care to scrub between fingers, around cuticles and under fingernails. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Clean surfaces frequently using anti-bacterial wipes, including countertops and refrigerator doors, doorknobs and handles, toilet flush handles and water faucets, light switches, cell phones, remotes and other frequently touched surfaces.
• If you're sick with COVID-19 or think you may have been exposed to the coronavirus, self-isolate or self-quarantine.