Scottsdale COVID-19 face covering order is rescinded

Countywide requirement remains in effect

The city of Scottsdale announced Sept. 21 the face covering order, which went into effect in June, has been rescinded while Maricopa County still requires the preventative COVID-19 protection.

While the local order is no longer in place, Maricopa County’s order remains in effect, which means face coverings are still required in most public places in Scottsdale.

The decision to remove Scottsdale’s order is based upon the significant decline of infection and hospitalization rates in Maricopa County seen during the past several weeks, according to a press release. The increase in these same rate factors are what drove the decision to require masks in June.

“When the original face covering order went into effect, our hospital system was in crisis,” said Mayor Jim Lane in a prepared statement. “The alarming growth in cases across the county was pushing hospital capacity to the limit, and Scottsdale’s mask requirement was part of efforts in communities across the state to get that situation under control. It worked.”

Data from the Arizona Department of Health Services and Maricopa County Public Health show rates of infection and hospitalizations for COVID-19 have improved dramatically. Hospitals have reported at least 20% availability of ICU beds since early August.

The state has provided guidance and a process to allow businesses such as gyms, restaurants, bars and museums to reopen with restrictions. The Scottsdale Unified School District resumed in-person learning with its own safety protocols.

With these things occurring, public commitment and vigilance to community health is of utmost importance, the press release stated.

“As I have stated previously, no amount of government regulation is a substitute for individual behavior and decision making. As we enter flu season, COVID-19 remains active and potentially dangerous. We are not out of the woods,” Mr. Lane said.

“It remains the civic responsibility of each person to continue protecting others and themselves, by taking extra care if part of the vulnerable population, staying home when possible and certainly when sick, by practicing good hand hygiene, and by wearing masks around other people.”

The city reminds residents that “A Healthy Scottsdale Starts with You.”

Find information and resources to help carry this message to your business or organization at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “healthy Scottsdale.”