PHOENIX – House Speaker Rusty Bowers and Senate President Karen Fann announced on Thursday that beginning Friday, March 13, 2020, both the House and Senate galleries will be closed to the public. The move follows Governor Ducey’s declaration of emergency and an executive order regarding the coronavirus.
The leaders are “encouraging members of the public to limit their attendance at committee hearings until further notice.”
Committee chairs have been instructed “to limit testimony for and against legislation in committee and consider alternative methods to receive public input. Members of the public wishing to weigh in are encouraged to do so via email, phone, or the Request to Speak system,” the leaders advised in their announcement.
• All field trips, and all visits from outside organizations, foreign dignitaries, etc., are cancelled.
• Members and staff are being encouraged to avoid in-person meetings; holding meetings telephonically or via Skype or a similar service instead.
Related article: Ducey Signs SB1051, $55 Million For Public Health Emergencies Fund
Ducey on Thursday signed SB1051, which appropriates $55,000,000 from the Budget Stabilization Fund to the Public Health Emergencies Fund in Fiscal Year 2020 to combat the continued spread of COVID-19. The bill passed unanimously.
Bowers and Fann notified members of the new restrictions and protocols in an email on Thursday:
From: Russell Bowers <RBowers@azleg.gov>
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2020 1:00 PM
To: All House Users <AllHouseUsers@azleg.gov>
Subject: House and Senate Guidance and Policies regarding COVID-19Dear Colleagues and Staff,
Yesterday, Governor Ducey issued a declaration of emergency and an executive order regarding COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. Here at the Legislature, we’re monitoring this developing situation closely and working to ensure your health and safety. To that end, we are taking the following steps.
* Effective tomorrow, March 13, 2020, both the House and Senate galleries will be closed to the public.
* We encourage members of the public to limit their attendance at committee hearings until further notice. Committee chairs are to limit testimony for and against legislation in committee and consider alternative methods to receive public input. Members of the public wishing to weigh in are encouraged to do so via email, phone, or the Request to Speak system. Live proceedings may be viewed online here.
* All field trips, and all visits from outside organizations, foreign dignitaries, etc., are cancelled, starting tomorrow.
* All Members and staff must avoid hand-shaking.
* To the greatest extent possible, Members and staff should avoid in-person meetings; meetings should be held telephonically or via Skype or a similar service. Conference rooms may not be reserved without the express, advanced permission of the Speaker or President, as applicable.Additionally, in an abundance of caution, the House and Senate are adopting the following preventative policies and practices, effective immediately:
* Employees who are sick should stay home or go home.
* COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
* In adults, emergency warning signs include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, and blush lips or face.
* Employees who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 may be told to go home by their supervisors.
* If you’re sick, you should see a doctor or other medical professional.
* Employees who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days after contact.
* Individuals at higher risk including older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease-should speak to their supervisors about working from home.
* All assistants should remove candy dishes and other food containers from offices and work spaces.
* Members and staff should regularly clean and disinfect their keyboards, cell phones, desk phones, desks, other hard surfaces, etc.
* The House and Senate will further increase their efforts to clean and disinfect the buildings regularly throughout the day, including by wiping down handles, hard surfaces, etc.As a reminder, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified the following steps to prevent illness, among others:
* Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
* If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
* Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and put distance between yourself and others.
* Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow.
* If you’re sick or caring for someone who is, wear a facemask.Additional guidance is available at:
* The Doctor on Demand website
* The Arizona Department of Health Services’ websiteThis situation is evolving rapidly, and we will continue to take further measures as necessary to respond to this challenge. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Speaker Rusty Bowers and President Karen Fann
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