Independent Newsmedia
With the state’s most-populous counties potentially progressing to the next phase of safely resuming business operations Thursday, Aug. 27, certain businesses will be able to join others already operating with reduced capacity and following other strict requirements to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
For businesses to remain open, compliance with public health requirements is critical, according to a release from the Arizona Department of Health Services.
AZDHS along with other state agencies and local agenices are working together to enforce requirements outlined at www.azhealth.gov/businessCOVID19 for businesses paused by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey's Executive Orders 2020-43 and 2020-52.
Additional requirements and guidance are provided in AZDHS' Emergency Measure 2020-02. These include businesses requiring the use of masks except when customers are actively eating or drinking, physical distancing of at least 6 feet, increased cleaning and disinfecting protocols and strict symptom checking for employees prior to the start of shifts.
The state will be coordinating complaints received by public health, according to the release. AZDHS has contracted with most local public health departments to investigate complaints and enforce requirements.
For counties that don't contract with the state, AZDHS will investigate complaints and initiate enforcement, the release states. Complaint investigations involve inspectors going onsite to substantiate the complaint through observation and interviews with employees and customers.
If a business is found to violate the COVID-19 prevention requirements, enforcement action can be taken immediately to protect public health and safety, the release states.
If you believe a business isn’t following requirements, the AZDHS encourages you to share your concerns so local and state officials can follow up as needed.
Community members who notice a business not complying with requirements can file a complaint with the following entities:
Complaints will be investigated by the local or state health department, depending upon jurisdiction. There are multiple ways to file a complaint with AZDHS, including:
Businesses that are allowed to resume operations safely when a county reaches the moderate transmission stage, as is expected to occur Thursday for additional counties, include indoor gyms and fitness centers, indoor theaters, waterparks and tubing, and bars and nightclubs providing dine-in services.
Industry-specific requirements can be found on the AZDHS Workplace and Community Locations webpage. Each business that attests to the requirements must post the completed attestation where customers can see it. Businesses on this list have completed attestations.
Officials say Arizonans still need to be vigilant and continue practicing proven COVID-19 prevention strategies, like wearing masks when in public, physically distancing and staying home when sick.