By Maria Polletta | Arizona Republic
Gov. Doug Ducey on Monday issued a statewide “stay-at-home” order to slow the spread of new coronavirus, barring Arizonans from leaving their residences except for food, medicine, outdoor exercise and other “essential activities.”
The directive will take effect at close of business Tuesday and apply through at least April 30. Those who don’t comply with the order could face a Class 1 misdemeanor, but they will receive a warning first.
“Our goal here is to protect the lives of those we love most and to ensure the health care system has the capacity to provide them with the care and comfort they deserve,” Ducey said at an afternoon press briefing, indicating he did not consider the mandate a “shelter in place” order.
“When you use words like ‘shelter in place,’ that’s what happens when there’s a nuclear attack. That’s what happens when there’s an active shooter,'” he said. “We want people to stay at home.”
