Arizona's COVID-19 Actions To Date
News Release
January 27: Activated The Health Emergency Operations Center
Opened the Health Emergency Operations Center after the first reported case of COVID-19 in Arizona to monitor the situation at the local, national and global level
March 2: Started Testing For COVID-19 At The State Lab
Became one of the first states in the nation to be certified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to test for COVID-19
March 4: Secured $500,000 In Initial Federal Funding
Provided immediate access to resources for states and local jurisdictions impacted by the outbreak.
March 11: Declared Public Health Emergency
Gave health officials more funding to fight COVID-19
Designated the Arizona Department of Health Services as the agency leading Arizona’s response to COVID-19
Activated the State Emergency Operations Center in addition to the Health Emergency Operations Center to coordinate resources
Waived certain licensing requirements to increase access to healthcare
Gave the state emergency procurement authority to purchase supplies
March 11: Issued Executive Order to protect high risk populations and ensure care
Required insurance companies and health plans to cover out of network providers for COVID-19 testing
Waived all copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for COVID-19 testing
Reduced co-pays for telemedicine visits
Prohibited price-gouging on COVID-19 testing and treatment
Required symptom checks of healthcare workers and visitors at skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities
March 12: Secured New Federal Funding
More than $12.4 million in new funding from the CDC is being used for disease surveillance and investigation, lab testing, purchasing supplies and communicating information to the public.
March 12: Passed New State Public Health Funding
Signed legislation to appropriate $55 million to Arizona’s Public Health Emergency Fund to combat COVID-19.
March 12: Held Statewide Call With School Leaders
Joined Superintendent Kathy Hoffman and Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ to brief more than 400 school district leaders on COVID-19 and answer their questions.
March 15: Closed Schools To Address Staffing Shortages
Jointly announced a statewide closure of schools with Superintendent Hoffman to bring certainty and consistency for parents, students and teachers across the state.
March 15: Partnered With Boys & Girls Club On Childcare
Announced emergency operational funding to support youth impacted by school closures and ensure childcare availability for children of health care workers, public safety and other essential staff. A full list of child options can be found at azed.gov.
March 16: Issued New Guidance To Cancel Gatherings
Released new guidance for dining establishments, child care providers, nursing homes, and additional social distancing measures. Recommends canceling or postponing gatherings of 10 or more people.
March 17: Updated Southern Arizona Health Leaders
Met with public health officials and hospital Chief Medical Officers in Tucson to provide an update on Arizona’s COVID-19 response and hear their needs.
March 18: Held Conference Call With Tribal Leaders
Discussed emergency declarations being issued for tribal nations and ongoing steps to combat COVID-19.
March 18: Met With Local Public Health Officials
Met with public health officials from all 15 counties in Arizona to build on the state’s efforts to address COVID-19.
March 19: Passed Out Free Meals For Kids At Sunset Elementary School
Joined Superintendent Hoffman to pass out free meals for students in the Cartwright School District and highlight free meal programs for kids during school closures.
March 19: Activated The Arizona National Guard
The Arizona National Guard will help grocery stores and food banks keep shelves stocked in the face of heightened demand.
March 19: Extended Expiration Dates For Driver Licenses: Issued an Executive Order to reduce the need for in-person visits to Motor Vehicle Division Offices.
March 19: Delayed Elective Surgeries To Increase Hospital Capacity: Issued an Executive Order that halts all elective surgeries in the state of Arizona to free up medical resources and maintain the capacity for hospitals and providers to continue offering vital services.
March 19: Released New Guidance For Dining Establishments And Other Businesses:
Required restaurants in Arizona counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases to provide dine-out options only, while closing bars, gyms and movie theaters.
Allowed restaurants to deliver alcoholic beverages with the purchase of food to assist in mitigating the financial consequences of restaurant closures
Allowed manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers to buy back unopened products from restaurants, bars and clubs.
March 19: Secured Small Business Administration Disaster Loans For Local Businesses
Helps small businesses impacted by COVID-19 access up to $2 million through the program.
March 20: Volunteered At St. Mary’s Food Bank
Joined statewide and community leaders to pack boxes and bring attention to Arizona food banks’ urgent need for help.
March 20: Extended School Closures For Two More Weeks
Jointly announced with Superintendent Hoffman a two-week extension of school closures through Friday, April 10, 2020.
March 20: Expanded Access To Unemployment Insurance
Issued an Executive Order that:
Waived the one-week waiting period after an employee loses a job before they apply for unemployment benefits.
Waived work search requirements for those receiving unemployment benefits.
Added people who work at a business that has been temporarily closed or has reduced hours because of COVID-19, who have to quarantine because of COVID-19, or who have to care for a family member with COVID-19.
Waived any increase in employer payments to the unemployment insurance fund for businesses whose employees receive benefits under this provision.
March 20: Extended Tax Deadline
Extended the state income tax deadline to July 15, 2020 to match the new federal deadline.
March 21: Secured Medical Protective Equipment Shipment From National Strategic Stockpile
Included more than 440,000 personal protective equipment that will be distributed to county health departments to provide to local hospitals and medical professionals.
March 22: Launched New Statewide 2-1-1 Hotline For COVID-19
Launched a new 2-1-1 COVID-19 hotline to provide information and answer questions through $2 million in funding provided by the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
March 23: Issued Executive Order Defining Essential Services
Proactively provided clarity and certainty to businesses and workers about what is an essential service to ensure consistent guidance across the state.
March 23: Issued Executive Order To Accelerate Tracking Of COVID-19
Required hospitals and testing laboratories to report key metrics that will accelerate tracking of COVID-19 cases and strengthen the state’s response.
March 24: Launched Arizona Together Initiative Linking Arizonans To Resources
Launched ArizonaTogether.org, a centralized location for Arizonans to access resources and information during the COVID 19 outbreak.
March 24: Took Step To Free Up More Physicians To Address COVID-19
Waived rules requiring a physician to oversee Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, freeing up more doctors up to provide other needed medical services.
March 24: Announced Childcare For COVID-19 Frontline Workers
Launched Arizona Enrichment Centers to provide childcare for children of first responders, healthcare workers, and essential public sector workers.
March 24: Received Authority To Implement Medicaid Changes To Address COVID-19
Received federal approval to implement programmatic changes to help ensure access to health care for kids and vulnerable Arizonans by waiving certain Medicaid and KidsCare (CHIP) rules.
March 24: Issued Order Delaying Evictions For Renters Impacted By COVID-19
Issued an executive order delaying the enforcement of eviction action orders for renters impacted by COVID-19.
March 25: Requested Changes To Food Assistance Program
Requested the federal government expand the federal food stamp program so people impacted by COVID-19 can get more benefits faster and for hot food.
March 25: Expanded Telemedicine Coverage For Arizonans
Issued an executive order expanding coverage of telemedicine services.
March 25: Announced $5.3 Million For Meals For Arizona Seniors
Announced $5.3 million for “Meals on Wheels” to provide meals to older adults.
March 25: Requested Special Health Care Enrollment Period
Requesting a special enrollment period on the Federal Insurance Marketplace so people who have lost their income can buy health insurance.
March 25: Signed Legislation To Increase Resources For Arizona Hospitals
Signed legislation to bring more resources into Arizona’s health care system by increasing Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) provider rates for hospitals, doctors and more.
March 26: Announced Electric Utility Relief Package
Announced a cooperative agreement with the state’s largest electric utilities so no one has their power shut off due to COVID-19.
March 26: Issued Executive Order To Ensure Hospital Preparedness
Issued an executive order expanding hospital capacity and increasing hospital beds in the state by 50 percent.
March 26: Issued Executive Order To Expand Licensing Opportunities
Helped licensed professionals stay licensed and deferring certain requirements for six months.
March 26: Waived Emissions Testing For Seniors To Reduce COVID-19 Risk
Announced the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality will waive emissions tests vehicle owners 65 and older for up to one year.
March 27: Announced New Dollars For Rental Assistance
Announced $5 million in new resources to help Arizonans struggling to make rent due to COVID-19.
March 27: Signed Legislation To Support Schools, Teachers And Families
Signed legislation to support schools during closures, provide clarity and flexibility on statewide testing requirements and school letter grades, give direction on make-up days, require learning opportunities for students to continue, and ensure teachers and staff see no disruption in pay as a result of COVID-19.
March 27: Signed Legislation To Expand Access To Unemployment Benefits
Signed legislation and issued an executive order to expand access to unemployment benefits.
March 28: Signed Bipartisan State Budget Agreement
Signed a bipartisan state budget agreement that adds $50 million for Arizona’s COVID-19 response, including dollars to assist Arizonans needing eviction assistance, struggling small businesses, our food banks and our homeless population.
March 30: Extended School Closures Through The End Of The School Year
March 30: Issued An Executive Order Directing Arizonans To "Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected"
March 30: Governor Ducey and ADHS Director Dr. Christ Held A Briefing To Provide Updates On COVID-19
March 31: Update On Arizona Medical Supplies
Arizona received 75 percent of its Strategic National Stockpile allocation, totaling more than 1.2 million medical supplies to date.
March 31: Announces 90-Day Fee Relief For Restaurants, Bars Impacted By COVID-19
April 1: Requests Major Disaster Declaration For Additional Support In COVID-19 Response
April 1: Issues An Executive Order Allowing Telemedicine For Pets And Animals
April 1: Requests Export Assistance For Arizona’s Dairy Farmers
April 2: Issues Order Allowing Certain Prescription Refills Without Having To See A Doctor
April 2: Charitable Contributions: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the deadline for filing and paying State and Federal income tax has been extended from April 15th, 2020 until July 15th, 2020. However, the deadline for Arizonans to make charitable contributions and qualify for state income tax credit remains April 15th.
April 3: Announce The Launch Of Child Care For COVID-19 Frontline Workers
April 3: Governor's Office Provides Additional Guidance On Essential Services
April 6: New Assistance Available To Support Arizona Small Businesses: Arizona small businesses adversely impacted by COVID-19 have limited time to benefit from important benefits passed along with the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, small businesses can apply for 100% federally guaranteed loans for an amount up to 2.5 times their average monthly payroll expenses for the prior year.
April 7: ADOT Eases Truck Weight Limits For Delivery Of Essential Supplies
April 7: Announces $2 Million In Funding For Goodwill Services
April 7: Issued Executive Order Increasing Restrictions For Certain Out-Of-State Travelers
April 7: Issued Executive Order Strengthening Protection In Residential And Nursing Health Care Facilities
April 7: Issued Executive Order Expanding COVID-19 Data Gathering
April 7: Issued Executive Order Providing Flexibility On Packaging And Labeling Rules For Local Restaurants
April 8: Announces Nearly $10 Million For Meals For Low-Income Arizonans
April 8: Signs Executive Order Establishing Virtual Notary Services
April 8: Arizona Hospitals To Receive Emergency Advance Payments from Medicaid: To help Arizona’s hospitals weather the impact of COVID-19, Governor Doug Ducey announced that the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) will work with its provider partners to make available more than $50 million in accelerated hospital payments and advances and extend an additional $5 million in new COVID-19 related funding to Critical Access Hospitals throughout the state. A Critical Access Hospital is a rural acute care hospital located more than a 35-mile drive from any other hospital.
April 8: Announces 200 Internet Hotspots For Students In Rural Communities
April 9: Receives Approval For Online SNAP Purchases From USDA
April 9: New Order Provides “Good Samaritan” Protections To Frontline Workers Responding To The COVID-19 Emergency: Governor Doug Ducey issued an Executive Order to help boost medical staffing levels and provide certainty and liability protections to health care professionals serving on the front lines. The order provides protections to health care professionals treating patients during the COVID-19 health emergency, while also protecting patients against negligence or reckless misconduct.
April 10: 100 Additional Ventilators On Their Way To Arizona: Announced that 100 additional ventilators are on their way to the state of Arizona from the Strategic National Stockpile. These additional ventilators came at the request of Governor Ducey and Senator McSally to President Trump.
April 14: Announces Antibody Tests For Health Professionals, First Responders: Governor Ducey announced a partnership between the state of Arizona and the University of Arizona to provide antibody tests for 250,000 health care professionals and first responders who are on the frontlines in the battle against COVID-19.
April 14: Seeks Business Input For Economic Recovery: Governor Ducey asked leaders from Arizona’s lodging and business communities to provide their feedback on a plan for economic recovery. The letters seek recommendations to help accelerate a business and economic recovery including incorporating public health guidance into everyday business practices, policy suggestions, regulatory reforms and other executive actions.
April 14: Issued three Executive Orders to:
- Help meet the critical demand for nursing home and long-term care facility staff;
- Further expand telemedicine options for Arizonanson worker’s compensation plans;
- And continue to increase the data received by health care providers and share limited data with law enforcement personnel and first responders.
April 15: Issued an Executive Order Allowing Food Trucks to Operate at Eight Arizona Department of Transportation Rest Areas
April 16: Arizona Department Of Insurance Seeks Insurance Extensions For Arizona Customers: Arizona Department of Insurance is urging insurers across the state to work with Arizonans to ensure their coverage continues, providing much-need support to the individuals, families and businesses facing financial challenges because of COVID-19.
April 17: Governor Ducey, CCV Deliver Masks To Banner Health: Joined Pastor Ashley Wooldridge and members of the Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV) to help deliver 10,000 FDA-approved N95-equivalent masks to Banner University Medical Center.
April 21: Arizona To Provide Nearly 600,000 Children With Pandemic School Meal Replacement Benefits: Arizona Department of Economic Security announced the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) authorized DES to provide Arizona P-EBT Pandemic School Meal Replacement Benefits to households with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.
May 12: Announced that the Stay At Home order in Arizona will be ending on May 15 and replaced by new guidance for the next stage of economic recovery.
May 13: Announced a $500,000 grant from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund for Arizona food banks to help fight hunger. Member organizations that are part of the Association of Arizona Food Banks/Arizona Food Bank, which is receiving the grant, supply a network of nearly 1,000 food pantries and organizations in all 15 counties in Arizona, some of which have experienced a demand up to five times greater than usual due to COVID-19.
May 14: Announced today a $100,000 grant from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund to programs across the state supporting Arizona kids with special needs who have been impacted by COVID-19. This funding will help these direct service agencies and essential health care facilities continue to meet the needs of Arizona kids and their families during COVID-19.
May 15: Announced today $300,000 in funding from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund has been allocated to organizations across the state that support senior citizens, the homebound and those who are medically fragile. The funding will support organizations that have provided much needed aid to vulnerable populations impacted by COVID-19, by assisting with grocery shopping, meal deliveries, transportation to medical appointments, emergency errands and social interaction during a time of physical distancing.
May 18: Announced today $100,000 in funding from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund has been allocated to organizations that support foster families. The funding will be used to support increased demand for supplies, services and educational needs for the more than 14,000 Arizona kids in out-of-home care and the families who care for them.
May 18: Extended the COVID-19 Testing Blitz.
May 18: Spoke with Arizona's Tribal Leaders how to keep communities safe and healthy.
May 19: Issued recommended CDC guidelines for individuals and businesses on how to return stronger.
May 19: Met with mayors and county supervisors on how to protect public health and reenergize our economy.
May 20: Announced today $500,000 from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund has been allocated to organizations that provide out-of-school child care in the state. The funding will support extended hours and enrichment programs to meet the increased demand of child care for families while students distance learn and parents or guardians work. The organizations will continue to support students in their social and emotional development and help them stay on track academically.
May 20: Announced $300,000 in grant funding to organizations providing Arizonans in need with rental assistance, telehealth and transportation to health services. The funding recipients, St. Vincent de Paul and Open Hearts, will use the funding to help vulnerable populations avoid eviction and access services needed to preserve health.
May 21: Met with mayors and local leaders on how to best allocate CARES Act resources to local governments.
May 27: Provided nearly $600 million in coronavirus relief and recovery dollars for local Arizona governments and nonprofit, including $441 million in direct, flexible funding to local cities, towns and counties that did not receive direct funding earlier this year from the federal government. In addition, local governments, tribal communities, schools and more will be eligible for expedited reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) for coronavirus-related expenses, including purchases of testing supplies, PPE and more.
May 28: Announced the appointment of Department of Economic Security Director Michael Wisehart.
June 1: Spoke with Congressman Tom O'Halleran to update Arizona's response to COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation.
June 12: Held a call with faith leaders on supporting Arizonans' during COVID-19.
June 15: Connected with the Vice President and the Coronavirus Task Force on how to protect public health.
June 17: Announced enhanced actions to contain the spread of the virus and protect Arizona’s most vulnerable residents. The announced actions build on Arizona’s substantial efforts to boost testing, expand contact tracing, secure PPE for health care and frontline workers, fast-track resources to the most affected areas and more.
- Secured an additional Roche testing machine for Sonora Quest Laboratories to expand testing in the state.
- ADHS provided additional funding to laboratories, as needed, for testing services.
- ADHS provided 10,000 specimen collection kits to Sonora Quest Laboratories to assist with increased demand.
June 29: Held a call with the Vice President and governors to discuss action to slow the spread of COVID-19.
June 29: Signed an Executive Order to prohibit large gatherings, cease the issuance of new special event licenses and pause the operations of bars, gyms, movie theaters, waterparks and tubing rentals. The pause of these business operations takes effect at 8:00 p.m. today, Monday, June 29 and is in effect for one month. In addition, the first day of school for in-person learning will be delayed until August 17, 2020. Schools will be able to conduct distance learning before then should they choose.
July 14: Announced COVID-19 surge testing in Maryvale and South Phoenix done in partnership with the Department of Health Services, Arizona DEMA and U.S. Health and Human Services to provide up to 5,000 tests per day for 12 consecutive days at sites in these high-need communities. This served up to 60,000 Arizonans.
July 16: Signed an Executive Order extending a moratorium on residential evictions until October 31, 2020, providing continued protections for renters who are facing economic hardship as a result of COVID-19. The order ensures renters impacted by COVID-19 will be able to stay in their homes while extending the time to access rental assistance programs.
July 21: Announced $975,000 from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund has been allocated to 12 organizations in Arizona that provide shelter for those experiencing homelessness. The funding will support efforts to provide food for those utilizing shelters; locate alternative housing to maintain social distancing among the homeless population; and clean and sanitize shelters to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
July 22: Issued an Executive Order to bolster the election efforts of Secretary of State Katie Hobbs and election officials across the state by making available additional state assets. The order instructs the Department of Administration to identify State-owned facilities to be utilized as voting locations and to assist counties in providing personal protective equipment (PPE) and other equipment necessary to allow safe hygiene practices when voting. It also enables state employees to serve as poll workers on election day without impacting their pay or leave time, helping ensure polling locations are staffed and lines are kept short.
July 22: Held a call with tribal leaders from all over AZ to discuss COVID-19 on the tribal nations.
July 23: Announced additional resources, flexibility and clarity for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. This “Arizona: Open for Learning” plan provides maximum options for Arizona families, ensures students receive a full academic year of education, invests a total of $440 million in federal dollars to our schools, and gives local school leaders the flexibility and public health guidance to make the best decisions for their students.
July 28: Announced the establishment of the Task Force On Long-Term Care. The task force will focus on developing recommendations and metrics on how and when visitation within long-term care facilities can be safely resumed and what steps facilities can take before then to help residents and their loved ones maintain contact.
July 29: Had a call with business leaders and entrepreneurs to hear an update from them.
August 4: Joined a coalition of 20 states, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, and the American Association of Community Colleges—with support from Lumina Foundation and the Siemens Foundation—to launch the Reskilling and Recovery Network. The Network will equip Arizonans with the skills they need to get back to work and help communities disproportionately affected by economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
August 4: Sat down with President Karen Fann and Speaker Rusty Bowers to provide an update on the state's response to COVID-19.
August 10: Updated Vice President Pence on Arizona’s action to protect health & safety.
August 10: Announced that the Department of Health Services released public health recommendations for the eventual safe reopening of paused businesses in the state of Arizona. The plan is based on CDC guidance, White House Coronavirus Task Force metrics, industry feedback and medical and public health advice.
August 13: Granted $100,000 to UMOM to ensure the families in need of support have a comfortable place to live.
August 13: Announced nearly $100 million in new resources to help workers and businesses impacted by COVID-19.
August 13: Visited the Health Emergency Operations Center.
August 14: Partnered with President Trump and his administration to extend unemployment benefits to nearly 400,000 Arizonans. Under an executive order signed by President Trump, Arizonans are eligible to receive unemployment benefits of $540 a week, with $300 per week provided through funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
August 17: Announced $350,000 from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund has been allocated to 27 organizations in Arizona that provide shelter or support services to victims of domestic violence. The funds will be used to provide basic supplies, virtual services, transportation, medical exams, and adequate space for families in need of shelter while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
August 19: Held a virtual Arizona Commerce Authority Board of Directors meeting today.
August 21: Thanked The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Charity Foundation for the generous donation of 429,000 pieces of PPE including masks, face shields, goggles & gowns.
August 31: Had a call with the Vice President to discuss COVID-19 updates.
September 9: Had a call with HHS Secretary Azar and the Coronavirus Task Force to discuss the latest on COVID-19.
September 11: Connected today with Nevada Gov. Sisolak on partnering on PPE and fighting COVID-19.
September 17: Hosted U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham to urge full participation in 2020 Census.
September 21: Updated the Vice President and the Administration on Arizona's efforts to follow health and safety guidance.
October 28: Announced $7 million to expand available rental assistance and help keep people in their homes.
November 6: Announced $7 million to support economic recovery efforts in the small business and hospitality sectors.
November 18: Announced a list of new actions to support hospitals and medical professionals and combat the spread of COVID-19.
