TUCSON – On Thursday, the Pima County Board of Supervisors in a 3-2 vote to force the closure of certain types of businesses in unincorporated areas of the County. Restaurants in those areas will only be able to drive-through and take-out service.
Violations of the new proclamation will result in a misdemeanor charge for owners.
Supervisor Ally Miller, “I am pleased that the Board will be voting on any future proclamations vs authorizing the Chairman to have that sole authority as prescribed by ARS 26-311. I do believe we need to take restrictions and precautions to curb the spread of this virus, however I felt this action today was premature given the reported 7 cases documented on the Pima County COVID-19 website. I have grave concern for the individual business owners as well as their employees who will be severely impacted by this action and they will be impacted immediately. Many will be without income as of tonight at 8:00 p.m. The Board of Supervisors ordered staff to develop a protocol including hotlines and website links for folks who are in need of housing or assistance of any kind during this difficult time. Supervisor Christy requested a separate protocol to assist small business owners with any questions or assistance they might need. Please follow the guidelines and utilize the Pima County website for COVID-19/Coronavirus for any questions or assistance that you require.”
The measure goes into effect at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 19, and runs through the end of the month.
Among other things the proclamation states:
A. All restaurants, food courts, cafes, coffeehouses, retail food facilities, and other similar businesses and establishments located in unincorporated Pima County, including those housed within or on the same properties as hotels and similar establishments, are prohibited from serving food and beverages for consumption on premises.
B. The following businesses and establishments located in unincorporated Pima County are hereby closed to use and occupancy by members of the public: i. Bars, taverns, brew pubs, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, tasting rooms, special licensees, clubs, and other similar businesses and establishments offering alcoholic beverages or spirituous liquor for consumption on-premises. ii. Theaters, cinemas, and indoor and outdoor performance venues, ii. Museums. V. Gymnasiums, fitness centers, recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, indoor exercise facilities, exercise studios, yoga and barre studios, and other similar facilities. V. Bingo halls, bowling alleys, indoor climbing or jumping/bouncing facilities, skating rinks, and other similar recreational or entertainment facilities.