Arizona cities are changing their policies on face coverings.
The move comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended vaccinated people resume wearing masks indoors and in high-risk areas. Previously, masks were optional for vaccinated people in city buildings and facilities.
According to the Maricopa County Health Department’s COVID-19 dashboard, most Valley cities are experiencing high community transmission rates. The most recent data from July 22 showed Phoenix with 103.69 new cases per 100,000 people and more than 13.39% of COVID-19 tests reported as positive.
Phoenix will resume face covering requirements on Monday, Aug. 2. In an email to KJZZ, a city representative wrote:
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Feb. 7, 2021
At its meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 3, the Phoenix City Council voted to approve a zoning request change allowing additional shelter beds on the Human Services Campus (HSC) for individuals experiencing homelessness, but rejected a 100-bed low-barrier shelter at Andre House. Council members also discussed allocating additional funding to address homelessness and to move forward on the city s proposed Homeless Strategies Plan calling for regional distribution of homeless shelters and resources.
Subscribe After hearing presentations and community input lasting more than four hours, the Council voted to allow an additional 275 beds at Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) and 200 emergency beds for use during extreme weather. The application originally filed in January 2019 asked for approval for the low-barrier shelter in a to-be-renovated building adjacent to Andre House, which was to be operated by Community Bridges, Inc.