Earlier today, Governor Ducey issued yet another Executive Order – this one announcing the removal of any COVID-related restrictions on public gatherings.
Also, earlier today, the UA announced the virulent U.K. COVID strain has been detected on or around campus.
Over the course of the past month, we have been experiencing declines in reported COVID-19 infections. They are not eliminated, and fewer than 20% of all Pima County residents have been fully vaccinated. Now, with the emergence of the U.K. strain in our community, removing COVID guidelines related to distancing and group sizes is irresponsible and runs counter to rational public health guidance.
If you are a private business operator, you have the right to implement any and all CDC recommended guidelines related to mask wearing, distancing, and group sizes. The Governor does not have the legal authority to restrict the rules you put into place for the safety of your customers and your staff.
Please realize this is an Executive Order issued by a guy who has been fully vaccinated and is evidently now comfortable behaving as if that made COVID disappear in our community. Science is not a rumor. COVID-19 is still present and the more virulent U.K. strain is now present. Ducey cannot rescind that reality through the issuance of an Executive Order.
Please continue to implement all COVID-related CDC recommendations and keep our community safe.
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