As mentioned in our last update, the Arizona State Legislature was deciding on a plan regarding the remainder of the session. The official decision, confirmed in a press release by Senate President Karen Fann, is now to come in at 11am on Friday, May 8 and adjourn Sine Die. The House of Representatives plans to mirror the Senate’s action. They will also be coming in on May 8 at 1pm in order to adjourn sine die.

Additionally, Governor Doug Ducey held a press conference to address next steps as part of his Return Stronger plan for reopening Arizona. As mentioned last week during a previous press conference, the Governor anticipated that beginning May 12th restaurants will be able to reopen for dine-in services. Today he announced that restaurants will be opening a day early than anticipated, May 11th, for a phased-in approach. Beginning on Friday, May 8th, barbers and salons will be re-opened as well with certain restrictions in order to follow physical distance guidelines like limited capacity. The Governor alluded that gyms and shared pools will likely be the next step of reopening Arizona. In addition, the Governor issued a new executive order to require notification to the next of kin for any resident who has tested positive or been exposed to a COVID-positive individual in a long-term care facility. It will require disclosure of any previous or active COVID-19 cases in the facility to any approved applicant. We will follow up with you as soon as this executive order is posted.