On Thursday, April 30, 2020, Mayor Ginny Dickey issued a fourth Emergency Proclamation in response to Governor Doug Ducey’s extension of the Stay at Home Order. The Governor yesterday issued an Executive Order extending Arizona’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected Order until May 15, 2020 as well as announcing an extension of physical distancing measures while laying out a step-by-step approach to opening businesses in Arizona.
“The Town Manager and I support Governor Ducey’s extension of the stay at home order as he clearly recognizes that Arizona has not met the medical metrics of two weeks of declining COVID-19 cases and deaths as established by medical experts,” stated Mayor Dickey. “Medical experts from the CDC and Arizona Department of Health Services believe that extending the stay at home order will reduce exposure to the virus and save lives. Once Arizona meets the two week reduction in cases and deaths, then the Governor will begin phasing in the opening of businesses and services.”
The Governor’s executive order also allows retail businesses to begin partial operations starting next week. Under the order, retail businesses currently not operating can begin curbside pickup on Monday, May 4, followed by expanded in-person operations on Friday, May 8 as long as they implement social distancing and sanitation measures established by the United States Department of Labor or the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Due to higher temperatures and the natural likelihood of social distancing being maintained, the Town of Fountain Hills will be reopening a number of park amenities with limitations beginning Monday, May 4. This includes the Dog Park, Skate Park, pickle ball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, and the main restrooms at Fountain Park. The remaining park restrooms will be reopened on Monday, May 11.
“The Town understands the hardship that the pandemic has caused our residents. While all are still to stay home except as indicated under the Executive Orders during the next two weeks, we hope reopening these recreational amenities will help a bit,” stated Mayor Dickey.
The new Executive Order signed by the Governor reconfirms that cities and towns are to enact the directives uniformly as one in the State of Arizona at this time.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to regularly visit the Town’s website at www.fh.az.gov to obtain the latest news and information about the town’s response to COVID-19.