Phoenix Reaffirms Mask Mandate

Phoenix AZ

07 April, 2021

11:52 AM

Description

PHOENIX, AZ — The city of Phoenix joined the likes of Tucson and Flagstaff in reaffirming its citywide mask mandate on Tuesday. The order, which originally was put in place on June 20, requires anyone within the capital city's limits to wear masks and maintain six feet of distance to halt the spread of the coronavirus. The mandate will remain in place until the city council revokes it and private businesses are not exempt from the requirement. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego expressed support for the mask mandate's extension on Tuesday, saying Gov. Doug Ducey's executive order preventing towns and cities from enacting mask mandates was an overreach. I stand with the majority of the council who agree that @dougducey unilateral decision to order cities to abandon mask requirements is a case of significant government overreach. Protecting public health must come first. Masks are the best & fastest way to fully reopen & recover. pic.twitter.com/XxtMuEG0rk— Mayor Kate Gallego (@MayorGallego) April 6, 2021 The city's announcement comes as the state of Arizona's COVID-19 case numbers have started to increase again, after a steep decline during February and March. The Arizona Department of Health Services' COVID-19 dashboard reported 750 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, up 170 from the number AZDHS reported for Tuesday.