Gov. Doug Ducey announced the stay-at-home order in Arizona will be ending after May 15 and replaced by new guidance for the next stage of economic recovery.

The new guidance aligns with gating criteria issued by the White House and Centers For Disease Control and Prevention and aims to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 resurgence, protect vulnerable populations, and guide the reopening of businesses with enhanced physical distancing and safety measures in place, according to a release. 

“Since the start of this pandemic, Arizona has taken a calm and steady approach to protecting health and slowing the spread of COVID-19,” Mr. Ducey said. “Today, our hospitals have capacity to provide care to those who need it; our businesses are implementing and adapting to new physical distancing measures; and data shows Arizona is headed in the right direction. It is time to move forward with the next steps of Arizona’s economic recovery — while continuing to make health and safety our number one priority. I’m grateful to all Arizonans for their partner-ship and cooperation during these trying times. By continuing to follow the data and recom-mendations of public health officials, we can continue to move forward safely and responsibly together.”

Arizona’s new Executive Order, which takes effect Saturday, May 16, builds on Arizona’s comprehensive efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health, including: ramping up testing availability and frequency; implementing tracking of key health metrics such as reported symptomatic cases and emergency room usage; standing up surge hospital capacity to be used as needed; expanding statewide contact tracing; bolstering supply chains for personal protective equipment for frontline medical workers and emergency responders; implementing enhanced safety protocols to protect those living and working in high-risk facilities such as nursing homes; and providing public health guidance for businesses and individuals to ensure continued physical distancing.

Mr. Ducey also announced an accelerated plan to test all staff and residents of long-term care facilities as well as individuals within Arizona’s prisons. As part of this plan, the Arizona Department of Health Services will partner with private-sector labs to expand testing to 147 long-term care facilities and provide antibody tests for correctional officers. Additionally, major league sports can resume limited reopening, without fans, Saturday, May 16.

The Arizona Department of Health Services also released additional guidance for businesses and customers as more industries resume partial operations. This guidance includes reopening the following as of May 13:

Pools, with physical distancing and enhanced sanitation;

Gyms & Fitness Providers, with physical distancing and enhanced sanitation; and

Spas, with physical distancing and enhanced sanitation.

While never formally closed, many places of worship opted to temporarily change or suspend services in order to follow physical distancing guidelines. As they resume operations, the Arizona Department of Health Services released guidance for enhanced physical distancing and safety precautions.