PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Health Services on Monday released a series of data-driven benchmarks that gyms, gyms, bars and cinemas – all industries that have been closed for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic – have to face in order to open , mostly at a reduced capacity.
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AZDHS releases a phase-out approach, with benchmarks, for reopening bars, gyms, water parks and clubs.The timeline will depend on the community spread across province.
Companies must also have a mitigation plan approved.The big loser here, bars and nightclubs. pic.twitter.com/yXeSaRjRv8
– Zach Crenshaw (@ZachCrenshaw) August 10, 2020
That industry, which also includes water parks, nightclubs, and tube operators, was shut down at the end of June by an executive order signed by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey in response to a rise in COVID-19 cases in the state. Bars could remain open for takeout and delivery. Restaurants were later ordered to reduce their indoor capacity to 50%.
In July, Ducey extended the order indefinitely, saying it could be reviewed every two weeks for cancellation or revision.
“At this initial two-week review, ADHD advises that these restrictions remain in place for the time being, but provides the following metrics for industry leaders and companies to understand when a general reshuffle could be considered,” a release from the governor’s office. “Companies have the opportunity through the certification process to evaluate individual circumstances in the event that they refuse the opportunity to reopen for reasons of public health.”
The benchmarks are divided into three categories – minimum, moderate, and substantial – and will correlate with COVID-19 community level, depending on the number of cases, the positive percentage, and the percentage of people with COVID – such as disease, according to the presentation of AZDHS.
All three benchmarks must be met within 14 days, assuming there is a 12-day lag, in order to move from one category to another, AZDHS said. The requirements also depend on the sector.
The benchmarks take a county-by-county approach, similar to the state guidelines recently released for schools.
Check out the chart below to see the requirements for each level.
If the spread of the community is “substantial,” bars, gyms, water parks, fitness centers, and gyms should remain closed.
If the spread of the community is “moderate,” bars and nightclubs that provide din-in services, such as food, along with cinemas, water parks, and tube operators could reopen with an occupancy rate of 50%. However, gyms and fitness centers can reopen with 25% capacity. Bars and nightclubs that do not serve food cannot reopen.
If the spread of the community is “minimal”, bars and nightclubs serving food, cinemas, water parks, tube operators, gyms and fitness centers may reopen at 50%, as long as the percentage positivity is below 3%.
Bars and nightclubs that do not serve food can only reopen if the percentage is positively less than 3% and the community risk is considered “minimal.”
If certain industries are allowed again, there are additional requirements, including hand sanitizer, improved cleaning, good ventilation, mask requirements, and physical distance.
Industries that believe they meet the requirements of AZDHS must submit an attestation form and prove that they are compliant. That can be filled in here.
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