Gov. Ducey Announces No New Changes In Arizona Policy Despite Rise In COVID-19 Cases
Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services
Gov. Doug Ducey announced no new changes in state policy at a COVID-19 pandemic briefing Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020.
Gov. Doug Ducey announced no new changes in state policy at a COVID-19 pandemic briefing Wednesday, despite an acknowledgement from the Arizona Department of Health Services that all the metrics tracking the pandemic are headed in the wrong direction.
The number of positive COVID-19 cases reported in Arizona continues trending upward, yet Ducey refused to issue a mask mandate and instead continued to plead with Arizonans to wear a mask.
The governor said the influx of winter visitors to Arizona would provide an additional challenge and announced a new partnership with Sky Harbor, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway and Tucson International airports “to launch testing sites, on premise, at the airport. This will allow incomers to get tested, immediately, with quick turnaround.”
The testing is not mandatory.
The governor said he was directing $25 million to boost staffing in Arizona hospitals, which are expecting an influx of patients this winter.