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COVID-19 Coronavirus Info

COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION - CITY OF BENSON

HERE YOU WILL FIND UP-TO-DATE COVID-19 INFORMATION THE CITY HAS RECEIVED, AND THE LATEST INFORMATION ON CITY SERVICES.  THE MOST RECENT UPDATE WILL BE HERE, WITH PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS FOUND BELOW AND IN THE SIDEBAR. 

SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN AND YOU WILL FIND IMPORTANT LINKS FOR CORONAVIRUS UPDATES.
ALL OF GOVERNOR DUCEY'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS RELATED TO COVID-19 CAN BE FOUND HERE.
ALL OF GOVERNOR DUCEY'S GUIDANCE PROTOCOLS RELATED TO OPENINGS CAN BE FOUND HERE.

IMPORTANT NEW UPDATES: 

COVID-19: MASK INFORMATION (AS OF JANUARY 1, 2021)

Governor Doug Ducey announced on June 17, 2020, that local governments may implement mandatory mask and face-covering policies and determine enforcement measures. “This guidance allows local authorities to tailor mitigation efforts specific to the local public health need,” a news release on Governor Ducey’s website stated.

Arizona has a wide variety of communities and we applaud Governor Ducey for allowing municipalities to set guidelines that best serve our individual cities and towns. What is best for Phoenix and other metro areas is not necessarily the best for smaller, rural communities.

While the Mayor will not mandate the wearing of face masks at this time, we will continue to encourage personal responsibility in best practices to avoid infection. This includes the recommendation to practice social distancing, to wear masks when you cannot properly social distance, such as in stores and crowded areas, to engage in proper sanitation measures, washing your hands frequently and using hand sanitizer when soap and water isn’t readily available, and to stay home when ill.

Additionally, we would like the public to know that the Mayor is in constant communication with medical professionals and together we are monitoring the COVID-19 situation in our County and our City.

As we move through this difficult time, know that we will emerge. We ask, as always, that you Stay Calm, Stay Kind and Stay Safe.

Thank you.

Governor Ducey announced additional actions to contain the spread of the virus. See the entire announcement HERE.

COVID-19: CITY OFFICES & FACILITIES
 
THE CITY OF BENSON WILL BE REOPENING CITY FACILITIES IN PHASES.  PHASE ONE IS SET TO BEGIN MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2020.  DETAILS ARE OUTLINED IN THE "RETURN TO SERVICE PLAN" WHICH CAN BE FOUND HERE.  WE ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE UTILIZING ON-PHONE AND ON-LINE SERVICES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AS AN EXTRA LAYER OF PROTECTION FOR NOT ONLY OUR CUSTOMERS, BUT OUR STAFF.  IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.  WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE UTILIZING DIGITAL PLATFORMS FOR SOME PROGRAMS INSTEAD OF HOLDING THEM IN PERSON.
 
PLEASE REMEMBER WE ARE IN UNCHARTERED TERRITORY AND THAT THE PLAN IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME, DEPENDING ON CIRCUMSTANCES.
 
May 12, 2020 - Governor Ducey Press Conference and Important Announcements
Stay at Home Order Ends May 15.

Governor Ducey explained that due to the downward trajectory in COVID-19 cases in Arizona and the fact we have better methods and more availability of contact tracing testing and antibody testing Arizona is now in Phase 1 of a phased approach to move forward. He asks that people continue to act responsibly using common sense and the concept of maintaining physical distancing is not going away. Stay at Home order in Arizona ends May 15 while we continue to move forward safely and responsibly and follow recommendations of public health officials.

All of these decisions below are based on Guidance Protocols in place that can be found here.

Pools can reopen Wednesday, May 13.
Gyms and Fitness Providers can reopen Wednesday, May 13.
Spas, Massage Therapists and Personal Services Businesses can reopen Wednesday, May 13.
Guidance provided for Places of Worship.
Professional Sports Can Resume Without Fans Starting Saturday, May 16.

Did I miss any other announcements from Governor Ducey:

Retail shops are now open – with Guidance Protocols.
Barbers and Salons are open – with Guidance Protocols.
Restaurants are open – with Guidance Protocols.
COVID-19 restrictions on elective surgeries cancelled.
 
PREVIOUS UPDATES: 
 
May 4, 2020 Update from Governor Ducey
The coronavirus crisis has left a mark on our local businesses and Governor Ducey has slowly been announcing openings with care and guidelines. It is exciting to announce Benson restaurants can be cooking again today having been given the green light to reopen May 11, 2020, under guidance rules for social distancing, stringent sanitation, and plenty of common sense. It is possible some restaurants will still cautiously offer curbside only as they make their way forward to fully opening again, so please check with your favorite restaurants to verify hours before you make dinner plans.

For specific questions, please contact our Cochise County Health Department at 520-432-9400.

  • Effective Friday, May 8, Governor Ducey is allowing business operations for barbers and cosmetologists as defined and licensed by Title 32 of the Arizona Revised Statutes to resume operations with reduced capacity and comprehensive sanitation procedures among the required adaptations such as using face coverings for employees and customers, operating by appointment only, and following all protocols as directed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Guidance for Barbers and Cosmetologists can be found at this LINK.

  • Effective Monday, May 11, Governor Ducey is allowing restaurants to resume dine-in services. Establishments will be required to maintain physical distancing procedures, prohibit parties larger than TEN guests, operate at reduced occupancy and capacity, and implement symptom screening for employees, and follow all protocols as directed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Guidance for Restaurants Providing Dine-In Services can be found at this LINK

Continue Practicing Safety Precautions - it is all about balance, so those who want to go out and boost the economy can do it safely.

Governor Ducey stated our elderly or other vulnerable residents should still exercise caution. And businesses and employers should still consider making extra accommodation for anyone with an increased health risk. “For those that feel sick, please say home,” Governor Ducey said. “Take the day off, or more.”

PREVIOUS CITY UPDATES CAN BE FOUND ON THE SIDEBAR - RIGHT SIDE

HOTLINE NUMBER AND OTHER IMPORTANT LINKS FOR THE LATEST CORONAVIRUS UPDATES:

Phone Number to contact the Arizona COVID-19 Hotline:  Call 2-1-1 

In response to the Coronavirus crisis and in partnership with the Office of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, the Arizona Department of Economic Security and the Arizona Department of Health Services, Crisis Response Network and 2-1-1 Arizona has launched a new, statewide COVID-19 Hotline.  It was announced via press release by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey on Sunday, March 22, 2020. The new line operates 12 hours daily, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days per week, and was created in addition to the existing COVID-19 hotline being operated by the Arizona Poison Control System.  2-1-1 Arizona is an information and referral service which transforms lives by linking individuals and families to vital services throughout the state, including food, rental, and utility assistance, along with other forms of aid. 2-1-1 Arizona works with more than 3,500 organizations that provide assistance to state residents.  The COVID-19 Hotline will offer an entry point to field questions and concerns from Arizona residents about the Coronavirus pandemic and trained specialists will respond to calls in English and Spanish.

The hotline will also provide important information, including: 

  • How to prepare for and prevent Coronavirus spread.
  • Testing information for COVID-19.
  • What populations are at higher risk from the Coronavirus.
  • What to do if you get sick.
  • Coronavirus and animals.
  • A list of websites with accurate, reliable, and up-to-date information.
  • Information on food, housing, and financial assistance.
 
Important Links to find the latest COVID-19 Updates 

For the latest updates regarding the Corona Virus visit the CDC's Coronavirus Disease 2019 website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html  

For information specifically to Arizona, please visit https://azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/index.php#novel-coronavirus-home 

Additionally, County Public Health has established a hotline, available Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm, for questions from the public: (833) 670-5786 or visit the County website at https://www.cochise.az.gov/health-and-social-services/covid-19-info-0
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