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SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | MAY 3, 2020
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Scottsdale Chamber, others propose 3-step revival BY CECILIA CHAN Progress Staff Writer
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n organization of area Chambers of Commerce, including Scottsdale, has proposed a three-phase plan for reopening Arizona’s economy that would start May 15 and be completed a month later. Gov. Doug Ducey last week extended his stay-at-home order to May 15 with some modifications, letting retail stores sell goods via curbside pick-up and delivery starting tomorrow, May 4, with customers allowed inside starting May 8 with safety protocols in place. The reopening plan proposed by the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance – a consortium of area Chambers of Commerce that represents 5,000 area businesses – follows the Trump Administration’s “Opening up America” plan, using guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We felt it was very important to use the CDC recommendations as the basis for reopening as the governor has been very clear since the beginning that he will be using those metrics to make key decisions impacting the entire state,” said Kathy Tilque, Alliance legislative chairwoman. “Businesses are looking for clarity and definitions to help them as they begin planning to reopen. “The majority of businesses cannot weather this crisis through the end of June, which is why developing a clear, concise and safe plan now is critical,” Tilque continued. “The sooner we can open businesses, the better it is.” The Alliance’s reopening dates are based on health metrics and safety concerns. Tilque noted it took just three days for Scottsdale and the other eight chambers to agree on the plan. Under Phase 1, half of the state’s work-
Old Town has been looking pretty deserted since the governor closed businesses in March, but hopes are some life will return to its businesses and streets sometime later this month. (Progress file photo)
force would be allowed back to their jobs the two weeks following May 15. The Alliance suggested allowing retail stores, personal services like hair and nail salons, gyms and large venues like churches, movie theaters and sporting places to reopen with safety protocols in place – such as social distancing, masks and sanitizing measures. However, schools, organized youth activities and bars would remain closed. Phase 2 would kick off June 1, allowing daycare and organized youth activities to reopen with strict distancing and sanitizing protocols. Bars would be allowed to open with diminished standing-room occupancy where applicable and appropriate. Under the first two phases, employers would encourage telecommuting whenever possible, make special accommodations for workers vulnerable to the coronavirus and impose physical distancing in common areas where em-
ployees congregate. The Alliance suggested Phase 3 to commence on June 15 with unrestricted staffing at worksites, allowing bars to open with increased standing-room occupancy and loosening up some of the restrictions on gyms and large venues. Under all three phases, visits to senior-living facilities and hospitals would be prohibited. The White House’s Phase 1 launch assumes a downward trajectory of both flu-like illnesses and documented COVID-19 cases over 14 days, that hospitals can treat all patients without crisis care and that a robust testing program is in place for at-risk healthcare workers. Ducey, who also wants to reopen the state in stages, last Thursday held a 90-minute telephone conference for businesses to call in with questions. He acknowledged frustration from the business community and noted he consulted with the CDC and the White
House in making his decisions. Dr. Cara Christ, state Department of Health Services director, said her agency is looking at a lot of different data, including how hospitals are responding, their capacity and their caseload projection as the state moves away from restrictions. “The pandemic has dimmed our economy, I realize that,” said Ducey, who likened the pandemic to a natural disaster. He said Arizona was leading the nation in economic development and growth before nationwide closures and that he is confident the state will be back on track once businesses got the green light to open. He mentioned he used the “lightest touch” in closing businesses, allowing many considered to be essential to stay open. Ducey said restaurants were the next
see CHAMBER page 25
