About that mask order: Southwest Valley businesses have a right to enforce policies

(Businesses) maintain the right to institute and enforce policies to mitigate against COVID-19 spread including the use of face coverings and physical distancing, and retain the right to refuse service to those who do not comply with the policies.”

Executive Order 2021-06, issued March 25 by Gov. Doug Ducey

Who’s enforcing mask-wearing?

Keep AZ Safe, a Word Press blog, is keeping a list of businesses throughout the state that are enforcing COVID-19 safety protocols including masks, social distancing and reduced capacity. For more information, view the list or submit business information, visit safeazbiz.com. Another site keeping a similar list of businesses is maskupaz.com.

By Kelly O’Sullivan
Twitter: @AzNewsmedia

When Gov. Doug Ducey issued Executive Order 2021-06 rescinding all previous coronavirus-related executive orders, he reignited confusion and a furious year-long debate over face coverings.

Almost immediately, residents took to social media to cheer or decry the order, with some claiming businesses can no longer require masks and saying they couldn’t wait to enter their favorite stores with nothing on their faces.

Others said they will continue to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines stating that masking-up, social distancing, keeping your hands away from your face, and hand-washing and sanitizing are the best ways to prevent becoming infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, a respiratory illness that has killed nearly 17,000 Arizonans,  more than 550,000 Americans and more than  2.8 million people worldwide in the year since the pandemic was declared.

A LOOK BACK: 2020 COVID-19 flashpoint: To mask or not to mask

“Let the mask burning parties begin!!!” Angie Hunt wrote on a city of Goodyear Facebook post announcing the order.

“I will be removing my mask today,” Ricardo Dawkins Graver added.

“Smart businesses will require masks,” Danielle Shelton commented.

“If businesses in Goodyear still require it, try to have some class and be respectful to them or walk back out,” wrote Bruce Dickinson. “Keep the drama out of Goodyear, don’t need crazies acting like idiots. I am neutral on masks but against all idiots from both sides of the political spectrum.”

About the order

While the governor’s order bars municipalities from keeping city- and countywide mask mandates in place, it doesn’t stop them from enforcing mask-wearing and social distancing in government buildings and at government-sponsored events.

Goodyear fully rescinded its mask mandate after the governor’s order; since March 25 face coverings are no longer required in city facilities or at city-sponsored events.

READ: Goodyear rescinds mask mandate, other COVID-19 safety measures

Litchfield Park took a more conservative approach and will continue requiring face coverings in city facilities and at city-sponsored events through at least May 1.

READ: Litchfield Park keeps mask requirement in place for city facilities, events

More importantly, the order doesn’t prevent businesses from continuing to enforce their own policies requiring patrons to wear masks and socially distance.

“(Businesses) maintain the right to institute and enforce policies to mitigate against COVID-19 spread including the use of face coverings and physical distancing, and retain the right to refuse service to those who do not comply with the policies,” the order reads.

That applies to both large chains and mom-and-pop-shops, and customers are encouraged to reach out to businesses before they go to determine their policies.

The Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce emailed a statement from President and CEO John Safin announcing the chamber will keep safety protocols in place.

“It will take a several weeks for the effects of the state’s changes in virus prevention procedures to become visible. The evidence for this will be in the virus statistics reported by the Arizona Department of Health,” Mr. Safin wrote. “For now, the Southwest Valley Chamber will maintain the status quo requiring masks, social distancing and other prevention measures to ensure the safety of members, staff and guests.”

The email also urged state legislators to pass Senate Bill 1377 (Civil liability; Public Health Pandemic).

“This bill is to protect Arizona businesses, schools, healthcare providers, government agencies and others from frivolous COVID-19 lawsuits. We ask Governor Ducey to sign the bill when it arrives on his desk.”

Mr. Safin also asked Southwest Valley residents and visitors to be courteous to each other, regardless of where they stand on the mask issue.

“Many will continue to wear masks and continue social distancing. Many will choose not to wear a mask. Businesses, which are responsible for their employees and customers, can determine their own mask and other requirements for entry,” Mr. Safin wrote. “The decision whether or not to receive the vaccine is also a personal decision. Please respect the choice of the other person just as you would like them to respect your choices.”

Businesses weigh in

Indepdendent Newsmedia, which is requiring employees and visitors to its offices in the Valley to continue wearing face coverings and socially distance, reached out to several small businesses in Goodyear and Litchfield Park to ask if their policies have changed since the governor’s order.

Sarah Potter, owner of Billie’s and Bettie’s Family Hair Salon in Goodyear, said it’s going to be business as usual, with masks and social distancing required for the safety of customers and employees.

“We are sticking with the same measures that we have in place now,” she said via email. “We will be following CDC guidelines. Hopefully we don’t get to much backlash from people.”

The farm store at Blue Sky Organic Farms in Litchfield Park is no longer requiring customers to wear masks, but employees will continue to mask up, owners said via Facebook Messenger.

“With the governor’s announcement, we’re telling people we’d appreciate them wearing masks, but are no longer requiring them. However, our staff is still continuing to wear them. We also ask customers to continue allowing personal space between customers and our staff,” they said.

“We are developing a stepped process to resume ‘normal activity,’” said Laura Hansen, who owns Saddle Mountain Brewing Company in Goodyear with her husband, Jacob. “We will continue as-is for a bit longer.”

The Hansens will address capacity first “as that it is the biggest attribute to profitability which is what has taken the hardest hit during the restricted times,” she said via Facebook Messenger.

Ian and Stephanie Harwell, owners of Ground Control, a restaurant, beer, coffee and wine bar in Litchfield Park, aren’t changing anything right now.

“Our staff is still continuing to follow the CDC’s guidelines by wearing masks, sanitizing tables between each use and social-distancing tables. We are continuing to operate at a reduced capacity and have customers wear a mask covering their nose and mouth until they are seated,” Ms. Harwell said vie email. “We are also continuing to have Enviromaster professionally sanitize our entire premises on a weekly basis. We understand there are people who are not yet comfortable dining in with us and are still encouraging online ordering for pickup/delivery.”

Personal choice

Since wearing face coverings is now a personal choice in Arizona, Independent Newsmedia asked residents via Facebook to share their thoughts on the governor’s action and whether they would continue to wear masks.

The overwhelming response was that it was too soon to lift restrictions and mask-wearing should continue.

READ: COVID-19 by the numbers – daily case count by county

“I will be fully vaccinated next week,” said Kathleen Berger of Litchfield Park, who lost her sister to COVID-19. “I’m going to double down on my precautions, though, because of the large number of people in this state who refuse to mask/get the vaccine. I might just also add that I am absolutely furious about this.”

“It’s definitely too early and a dangerous move by the governor’s office in my opinion,” said Karen Martin of Surprise. “My parents and I will continue to stay vigilant and stay home as much as possible. They are 90 and 89, and soon to have birthdays.”

“Too soon,” agreed Michele Butler Young of Goodyear. “Having had COVID in January was the worst sickness my family had ever endured, and husband, one daughter and I still have lingering symptoms.

“I will continue to do as we have been. No large crowds, masks in public and distancing. Taking no chances as I’ve heard of many who have had it more that once,” Ms. Young said.

“I just got my second vaccination, but still plan to wear a mask,” said Rory Aikens, a Valley resident,  author and photographer who retired from the Arizona Game and Fish Department as a public information officer. “It’s just the right thing to do until we reach herd immunity.”

To view the governor’s executive order, visit https://azgovernor.gov/sites/default/files/eo_2021-06.pdf.

Kelly O’Sullivan can be reached at kosullivan@newszap.com or 760-963-1697.