Phoenix Meets COVID-19 Business Benchmarks

Photo Credit: https://www.lmtonline.com

Phoenix businesses that have been closed can start reopening as COVID-19 business benchmarks have been met Thursday morning.

Based on the latest data on the three metrics measuring the prevalence of the coronavirus, by the Arizona Department of Health Services, gyms, bars operating as restaurants, theaters, water parks and tubing operators in the metro Phoenix area can open.

Maricopa, Pima, Apache and Navajo have joined the list of counties in the moderate spread stage.


The four counties joined Yavapai, Cochise, Greenlee, Coconino and La Paz counties in the reopening range. Greenlee was the first Arizona county to enter the minimal spread stage.

Spread stage is based on benchmarks in three metrics that must be hit for at least the two most recent weeks of data. The COVID-19 business dashboard was updated on Thursday morning.

The moderate spread range is defined as 10-100 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents, a PCR test positive percentage rate of 5-10% and a rate of hospital visits for COVID-like illness of 5-10%.

The businesses that were closed under Gov. Doug Ducey’s June 29 executive order and are located in moderate spread counties are allowed to reopen under some restrictions that include capacity limits and the businesses must follow strict health safety requirements.

Indoor gyms and fitness centers can operate:
-25% of capacity in the moderate range
-50% of capacity in the minimal range

Bars and nightclubs that offer dine-in restaurant service can operate:
-50% of capacity in the moderate range
-50% of capacity in the minimal range

Indoor theaters can operate:
-50% of capacity in the moderate range
-50% of capacity in the minimal range

Water parks/tubing operators can operate:
-50% of capacity in the moderate range
-50% of capacity in the minimal range

The following is a county-by-county update after the latest weekly update:

Apache — Moderate community spread or better for all three benchmarks. Indoor fitness centers, bars and nightclubs providing dine-in services, indoor theaters, water parks and tubing facilities allowed to reopen in accordance with state requirements.

Cochise — Moderate community spread or better for all three benchmarks. Indoor fitness centers, bars and nightclubs providing dine-in services, indoor theaters, water parks and tubing facilities allowed to reopen in accordance with state requirements.

Coconino — Moderate community spread or better for all three benchmarks. Indoor fitness centers, bars and nightclubs providing dine-in services, indoor theaters, water parks and tubing facilities allowed to reopen in accordance with state requirements.

Gila — Substantial community spread, meeting two benchmarks in moderate range or better: COVID-like illness and percent positivity. At least two weeks until meeting all three.

Graham — Substantial community spread, meeting one benchmark in moderate range or better: COVID-like illness. At least two weeks until meeting all three.

Greenlee — Minimal community spread for all three benchmarks. Indoor fitness centers, bars and nightclubs providing dine-in services, indoor theaters, water parks and tubing facilities allowed to reopen in accordance with state requirements.

La Paz — Moderate community spread or better for all three benchmarks. Indoor fitness centers, bars and nightclubs providing dine-in services, indoor theaters, water parks and tubing facilities allowed to reopen in accordance with state requirements.

Maricopa — Moderate community spread or better for all three benchmarks. Indoor fitness centers, bars and nightclubs providing dine-in services, indoor theaters, water parks and tubing facilities allowed to reopen in accordance with state requirements.

Mohave — Substantial community spread, meeting two benchmarks in moderate range or better: COVID-like illness and cases per 100,000. On pace to meet all three next week.

Navajo — Moderate community spread or better for all three benchmarks. Indoor fitness centers, bars and nightclubs providing dine-in services, indoor theaters, water parks and tubing facilities allowed to reopen in accordance with state requirements.

Pima — Moderate community spread or better for all three benchmarks. Indoor fitness centers, bars and nightclubs providing dine-in services, indoor theaters, water parks and tubing facilities allowed to reopen in accordance with state requirements.

Pinal — Substantial community spread, meeting two benchmarks in moderate range or better: COVID-like illness and percent positivity. On pace to meet all three next week.

Santa Cruz — Substantial community spread, meeting two benchmarks in moderate range or better: COVID-like illness and cases per 100,000. On pace to meet all three next week.

Yavapai — Moderate community spread or better for all three benchmarks. Indoor fitness centers, bars and nightclubs providing dine-in services, indoor theaters, water parks and tubing facilities allowed to reopen in accordance with state requirements.

Yuma — Substantial community spread, meeting one benchmark in moderate range or better: COVID-like illness. At least two weeks until meeting all three.