State of Arizona

Provides detailed information and links to resources for Arizonans impacted by COVID-19.

Executive & State Actions

December 30, 2020

  • The Governor extended driver license expiration dates for an expiration date between March 1, 2020 and February 20, 2021 by one year from the expiration date printed on the license.
  • Issued Executive Order 2020-62 – Ensuring Efficient Administration of COVID-19 Vaccine (ADHS COVID-19 Vaccine Webpage) that requires local Public Health Departments to display the phase level the county is currently vaccinating and the location of vaccination sites within the county prominently on their website.
    • The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is required to implement a state-directed vaccine allocator model to expand access to vaccinations to high risk and high priority Arizonan and allows them to take possession and reallocate vaccine doses to ensure statewide coverage and rapid distribution
    • Specifies private vaccination distribution sites must consult with ADHS prior to establishing a location (Provider Onboarding Form)
  • $115 Million in University Support for COVID-19 Response the funding is intended to help cover the costs directly related to protecting public health of students during the pandemic including testing, mitigation efforts, distance learning, and furlough prevention
    • $46 million Arizona State
    • $46 million University of Arizona
    • $23 million Northern Arizona University

December 2, 2020

November 18, 2020

  • Governor Ducey announced $25 million to bolster hospital staffing.

November 11, 2020

June 29, 2020

Executive Orders Issued:

  • EO 2020-42: Renewal of EO 2020-27, the “Good Samaritan” Order extending EO 2020-27, which provides immunity from civil liability to healthcare professionals, volunteers, Arizona Emergency Medical Care Technicians, healthcare institutions providing medical services in good faith in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • EO 2020-44: Delaying the start of in-person classes for Arizona schools until August 17th but allows schools to begin the school year through distance learning prior to that date.
  • EO 2020-43: Prohibits organized public events of more than 50 persons (unless approved by local government), stops liquor license special event permits until at least July 27th, limits operations of bars with a series 6 or 7 license and closes gyms, movie theaters, water-parks, and tubing operators. Places restrictions on both private and public pools.

June 24, 2020

 Governor announced a $270 million plan to help public schools safely open at the start of the school year with $200 million from enrollment stability grants and $69 million from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund.  He also issued Executive Order 20-41 School Year Prioritizing Kids and Schools During COVID-19 allowing school districts and charter schools that are not certified for online instruction to continue offering distance learning, if the parents feel it is the best choice for the student, without impacting their funding (Press Conference, Increased Funding Plan)

  • $200 M for remote learning and helps to stabilize shortfalls to schools due to declining enrollment.
  • $40 million to install broadband conduit and fiber in rural communities ($28.6 million on I-17 between Sunset Point and Flagstaff, $10.3 million on I-19 between Tucson and Nogales).
    • The new conduit will serve the communities along the route, but the funds are still pending approval by the United States Department of Education.

June 23, 2020

Updated Arizona Department of Education – COVID-19 Guidance and Suggestions to Schools and Families

 June 17, 2020

Governor Ducey issued, Executive Order 2020-40 – Containing the Spread of COVID-19 Continuing Arizona Mitigation Efforts requiring local health departments to follow statewide system protocols, allowing local jurisdictions to adopt face covering policies, requiring businesses to enforce written polices to contain the spread of COVID-19 (Requirements for Businesses & Restaurants and Bars Providing Dine-In Services, Local Government Face Covering Requirements, ADHS Resources)

June 5, 2020

Governor Ducey signed remaining bills from the 54th Legislature Second Regular session that officially ended on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, to view all the chaptered bills please, click here.

 May 28, 2020

Governor Ducey issued two executive orders EO 2020-39 Assisting Arizona Families with Child Care allows child care facilities for school aged children to receive temporary waiver from the Arizona Department of Health Services on the child to adult ratios (R9-5-404) and child to staff ratios when transporting children (R9-5-517C – waivers).  EO 2020-38 Ensuring Statewide Access to Care for COVID-19 Arizona Surge Line requires hospitals to utilize the Arizona Surge Line that provides hospitals and providers concerned with their capacity or ability to care for patients to be transferred to ensure appropriate level of care statewide.  Stipulates all patients transferred through this system to be considered in network (press release).

 May 27, 2020

Governor Ducey announced local government allocations from the state portion of the Coronavirus Relief Fund included in the CARES Act by adding $441 million to the newly created AZCares Fund (Fund) and an additional $150 million for the Arizona Express Pay Program to expedite FEMA reimbursements.  Resources in the Fund will go to cities and counties that did not receive direct allocations from the U.S. Treasury pursuant to the CARES Act. For the 13 rural counties, he is allocating about $91.2 million (press release).

Eligibility Methodology & Allowable Costs

  • Resources allocated population of the city, town and the unincorporated population of the county, the per capita amount is just under $115 (Fund Allocations List).
  • Regular payroll expenses (no overtime) and ERE for public safety and public health costs between March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020 (AZCares Fund FAQ’s).
  • Any general fund or other fund savings/relief would then be available for local jurisdictions to use for other expenditures. Reimbursement
  • To maximize the resources, all applicants must register and submit their application for FEMA Public Assistance with the Arizona Department of Emergency Management to register for an applicant briefing, click here.
  • Due to the time it can take for FEMA reimbursement the Governor established the Arizona Express Pay Program with $150 million from the state portion of the Coronavirus Relief Fund to expedite FEMA reimbursements for local jurisdictions that did not qualify for direct funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury.
  • The Arizona Together Grant Portal provides application and program detail for the Fund, FEMA Public Assistance Grant Program, Expediting Delivery of Support, and other COVID-19 related grants.

May 21, 2020

Governor Ducey issued Executive Order 2020-37 Enhanced Surveillance Advisory Continuing to monitor responsiveness to COVID-19 requiring increased reporting from Hospitals.

May 20, 2020

 Governor Ducey announced in his press conference that the state continues to remain in phase one of the CDC reopening guidelines.  He noted that hospitals continue to have capacity, antibody and diagnostic testing are increasing, and the percentage of positive tests are decreasing.  He also commended Arizonans for acting responsibly.  (slides, news release)

Next Steps

  • Schools, Summer Camps and Youth Activities – planning on returning in the fall
  • Continue to phase in based on CDC recommendations in May and June with physical distancing

May 14, 2020

  • Governor Ducey announced that child care services offered through Arizona Enrichment Centers are being expanded to include children of grocery store and food bank employees (registration).

May 12, 2020

  • Governor Ducey issued new guidance on reopening the Arizona economy in accordance with the CDC Guidelines for Opening Up America Again and that ADHS will partner with private-sector labs to expand testing to 147 long term care facilities residents and staff, provide antibody tests for correctional officers, and increase testing of individuals within Arizona’s prisons.
  • Starting May 13, 2020 pools, gyms and spas may reopen with enhanced sanitation and physical distancing requirements.
  • On Saturday, May 16, 2020, major league sports may resume without fans and Executive Order 2020-36 Stay Health, Return Smarter, Return Stronger will go into effect.
    • Expires Executive Orders 2020-18, 2020-24, 2020-33 (Existing Stay at Home Orders & Travel Restrictions)
    • Allows businesses to open while encouraging continued physical distancing
    • Businesses may start to gradually open if they are in compliance with state and federal guidelines to mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Some of the guidelines include enhanced cleaning, monitoring for sickness, providing protective equipment, limiting congregation of groups of more than 10 people, and encouraging teleworking when possible

May 4, 2020

  • Governor Ducey announced Arizona’s next planned steps, including a previously-issued Executive Order allowing (1) cosmetologists/barbershops to resume appointment-based services on May 8th and (2) restaurants and coffee shops to resume dine-in services on May 11th. Following that, the Governor issued a new Executive Order “requiring expanded reporting of COVID-19 related information to residents of long-term care facilities.” Finally, the Governor announced upcoming updated guidance for gyms and pools.

May 1, 2020

April 29, 2020

  • Governor Ducey held a press conference announcing the Stay Home, Stay Safe, Stay Connect order will be extended through May 15th with some exceptions for retail businesses (Executive Order 2020-33) to view the press release click here.
  • Travel restrictions will remain in place on visitors from areas with substantial community spread through May 15th (Executive Order 2020-24)
  • Executive Order 2020-32 established that Arizona Department of Health Services set up a process for hospitals, health care facilities, and providers to request an exemption to establish elective surgeries. Wednesday, May 29th, there are 1,090 medical facilities that will resume business on May 1st
    • These facilities will not be able to request PPE from the state or county unless with the exemption in place.

April 27, 2020

  • The Arizona Department of Health Services announced starting May 2nd there will be a three week Testing Blitz available to anyone who thinks they have been exposed and could be infected with COVID-19 (press release).

April 23, 2020

  • Governor Ducey and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) Director David Tenny and State Fire Management Officer John Truett held a joint press conference with federal, state and local officials to discuss the upcoming wildfire season and provide guidance on how Arizonans can help prevent wildfires and plans being made to fight fires in the midst of COVID-19.
  • Governor Ducey said 2020 is expected be an active season similar to last year and the importance of ensuring all campfires are cold before walking away from them, click here.

April 22, 2020

  • Governor Ducey issued an Executive Order allowing elective surgeries to resume May 1st for Health Care Facilities that meet certain preparedness requirements including demonstrating that they have more than a 14 day supply of PPE, adequate staffing and beds, testing capacity prior to surgery, discharge plans, symptom screening processes; enhanced cleaning, prioritizing elective surgeries based on urgency.  (press release)

April 20, 2020

  • In number of interviews posted to the Governor’s newsroom the Governor has indicated that the Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected Executive Order is working, and the curve is starting to flatten.
  • The Governor indicated that the current order runs through April 30th and the plan is to slowly and methodically reopen Arizona’s economy. He also noted that Arizona has followed the White House and Centers for Disease Control guidance on combating COVID-19, click

April 16, 2020

  • The Arizona Department of Insurance is urging insurance companies to work with consumers during the health emergency, so they don’t lose coverage, click here.

April 15, 2020

    • Executive Order opening 8 rest areas along I-10, I-17, and I-40 to food trucks to help ensure long-haul truckers have access to food. To view the full press release, click here.
    • Issued reminder that April 15th is the last day to make a qualifying donation to a charitable organization for a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit, click here for more information.

April 14, 2020

  • The Governor held a press conference to discuss taking steps to establish a plan to re-open the Arizona economy and increased testing for COVID-19.

Economic Recovery

  • Governor is seeking feedback on a plan to accelerate Arizona’s economic recovery, while incorporating public health guidance.
    • A letter was sent to tourism and business leaders requesting suggestions on business practices, policy ideas, regulatory reforms or additional executive actions needed to re-energize the economy safely (Tourism Letter, Business Leader Letter, Press Release).

COVID-19 Testing

  • 44K tests have been completed and the state working to increase the number of available tests and the speed of results.
  • All 15 Abbott testing machines allotted to Arizona have been received.  The machines can detect COVID-19 in as little as 15 minutes and will be distributed throughout the state for vulnerable populations.
  • Walgreens Testing – Arizona is one of 14 states that Walgreens chose to establish rapid drive through testing, two locations one in northern Arizona and one in central Arizona. Test will tell individuals if they currently have the disease but will not show if the individual has had COVID-19 in the past.
  • Antibody Tests – The state established a partnership with the University of Arizona to create 250K antibody tests that will be initially be used for health care professionals and first responders. This is a blood test that can detect if an individual has had COVID-19 or has recovered from COVID-19. (Press Release)

Executive Orders

  • Three executive orders issued regarding the following: 1) sharing the address of known COVID-19 positive cases in the last 14 days with first responders; 2) requiring access to telemedicine for individuals on workers’ compensation; and 3) allowing on-the-job training for long-term care facility caregiver trainees.  To view a summary of the orders please, click here.

April 10, 2020

  • Policy primer issued on the Arizona Enrichment Centers launched on Monday, April 6th offering child care for children of first responders, critical health care workers and essential public sector workers noting that there are over 311 providers, 1,023 families of critical healthcare and essential public sector works that have qualified, and 681 families have qualified for a child care scholarship. Registration can be completed, here and to view the full article, click here.

April 9, 2020

  • Arizona received approval to allow SNAP food purchase online, click here.
  • Good Samaritan Executive Order to provide liability protections for health care professionals treating patients during the COVID-19 health emergency, click here.
  • Governor Ducey announced reopening of St. Luke’s Medical Center with 339 ICU beds.

April 8, 2020

  • Governor Ducey and Secretary of State Hobbs announce virtual notary services, click here.
  • Governor Ducey and Superintendent Hoffman announce a hotspot drive for public and private partners to donate surplus hotspot devices for students in need, click here.
  • Governor Ducey announced Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) was awarded $9.6M in funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) from the federal government, click here. For program eligibility and distribution sites, click here.
  • Policy Primer issued on how workers in Arizona can access unemployment benefits, click here.
  • Governor Ducey and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System will work with providers to make more than $50M in accelerated hospital payments and advances and extend an additional $5M in new COVID-19 related funding to critical access hospitals that are more than a 35-mile drive from any other hospital, click here.

April 7, 2020

  • Governor Ducey and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) eased truck weight limits for the delivery of essential supplies, allowing gross weights of up to 90,000 pounds to operate without overweight permits (currently 80,000 pounds) based on federal guidance. ADOT also reopened two rest areas (I-17 & I-40), click here.
  • Governor Ducey announced $2M in funding to put 400 Arizona Goodwill employees back to work from part of the $50M COVID-19 relief package in Laws 2020, Chapter 6.
  • Executive Orders:
    • Restrictions for travelers from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, click here.
    • Allowing restaurant labeling and packaging flexibility, click here.
    • Expanded COVID-19 data gathering, click here.
    • Increased protections in residential and nursing health care facilities, click here.

April 6, 2020

  • Governor Ducey issued an Executive Order halting evictions for small businesses and nonprofits until May 31, 2020, click here.

April 4, 2020

  • President Trump approved the Governor’s Major Disaster Declaration request. The Major Disaster Declaration provides additional access to federal resources to assist Arizona in the response efforts connected to COVID-19 by expanding access to mental health care, legal assistance to low-income Arizonans, expanded food assistance and more.  To view the full news release, click here.

March 30, 2020

  • Governor Ducey notified the Legislature of the intent to spend $6.8M from the Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund for food assistance and assistance to homeless shelters (Governor’s Announcement& JLBC Summary).

March 25, 2020

  • Governor Ducey announced Arizona received a $5.3 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help provide meals to older adults from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. To view the full news release, click here.

March 12, 2020

  • The Arizona Legislature added the emergency funding to the Department of Health Services continuation appropriating up to $55M to be used for the public health emergency response to COVID-19 with the stipulation that the Joint Legislative Budget Committee is notified of the intended use of the monies (Laws 2020, Chapter 6).

March 11, 2020

  • Governor Ducey issued a “Declaration of Emergency and an Executive Order”in relation to the current COVID-19 pandemic. This emergency declaration (1) places the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) in charge of coordinating the state’s response, (2) lets ADHS waive licensing requirements to benefit providers, (3) permits the use of $500,000 in emergency funds, and (4) establishes the state’s emergency procurement authority.
    • To view the Emergency Declaration, click here.
    • To view Executive Order 2020-07, click