Updated: June 8, 2020
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2020-36
This Executive Order does NOT extend prior executive orders regulating businesses and specifically states that previous executive orders setting forth COVID-related restrictions are expired and rescinded. Instead of setting forth mandatory guidelines that must be followed by various businesses for reopening, the Governor’s office has provided a website in conjunction with the Department of Health Services, which sets forth recommended reopening guidelines for various businesses, including barbers and cosmetologists, restaurants, gyms, pools, retail, spas/massage therapy, places of worship, shopping malls, theaters, casinos, and organized youth sports and activities. In addition, the Executive Order generally prohibits any county, city or town from issuing any order that is in addition to or conflicts with the policy, directives and intent of the Executive Order.
EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
(COVID-19 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2020-12)
Executive Summary
The Arizona Executive Order is not a business closure order, per se, but rather imposes a statewide definition of “Essential Functions” so that none of the counties, cities, and towns in the State may prohibit any person from performing these “Essential Functions.” Counties and cities may enact their own “stay at home” orders provided they reflect this Order’s definitions of “Essential Functions.”
Summary of Order
- Issued on March 23, 2020, Effective as of the time of signing
- No county, city or town may make or issue any order, rule or regulation that restricts or prohibits any person from performing essential function defined by the Order, and any such county, city or town order must be consistent with advice from the Arizona Department of Health Services. All state and local agencies must update their list of essential services to conform with this Order.
- Essential Functions means Healthcare and Public Health Operations, Human Services Operations, Essential Governmental Functions, Essential Infrastructure, and the following Essential Businesses and Operations (with an updated list available at the link above):
- Stores that sell groceries and medicine
- Food, beverage, and agriculture
- Organizations that provide charitable and social services
- Media
- Gas stations and business needed for transportation
- Financial institutions
- Hardware and supply stores
- Critical trades (building and construction tradesman, including plumbers, electricians, HVAC, moving and relocation services).
- Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick-up services
- Educational institutions (for purposes of distance learning)
- Laundry services
- Restaurants for consumption off-premises
- Supplies to work from home
- Supplies for Essential Business Operations (Businesses that sell, manufacture, or supply other Essential Businesses and Operations)
- Transportation
- Home-based care and services
- Residential facilities and shelters
- Professional Services
- Day care centers for employees of Essential Businesses and Operations
- Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries.
- Hotels and motels
- Funeral services