With the state’s most-populous counties potentially progressing to the next phase of safely resuming business operations tomorrow, 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.
Coordinating with local partners, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and other state agencies are committed to strict enforcement of requirements outlined at www.azhealth.gov/businessCOVID19 for businesses paused by Executive Orders 2020-43 and 2020-52. Additional requirements and guidance are provided in ADHS 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. ADHS is contracting with most local public health departments to investigate complaints and enforce these requirements. For counties that do not contract with the state, ADHS will investigate complaints and initiate enforcement. 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.
There’s a role for the public as well: If you believe a business isn’t following these requirements, which were established for the safety of customers, employees, and the broader public, ADHS 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 the requirements set forth by ADHS can file a complaint with the following entities:
- Local law enforcement
- County health departments
- ADHS
- Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control
Complaints will be investigated by the local or state health department, depending upon jurisdiction. There are multiple ways to file a complaint with ADHS, including:
- Submit a complaint online at www.azhealth.gov/complianceCOVID19
- Starting tomorrow, Aug. 27, call our COVID-19 Compliance Hotline at 1-844-410-2157
Businesses that are allowed to resume operations safely when a county reaches the moderate transmission stage on the ADHS Business Dashboard , 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 ADHS Workplace and Community Locations webpage . Each business that attests to the requirements must post the completed attestation where customers can see it. A list of businesses that have completed attestations can be found here .
While it’s promising news that more counties are progressing to the next stage of safely resuming business operations, Arizonans need to be vigilant and continue practicing proven COVID-19 prevention strategies . It is important to continue wearing masks when in public, physically distance, and stay home when sick. These smart decisions will help keep Arizonans healthy and safe and help us continue to contain the spread of COVID-19.
For more information on COVID-19, visit www.azhealth.gov/COVID-19.
