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By Paulina Pineda, Joshua Bowling | Arizona Republic
People in Phoenix who are fully vaccinated no longer have to wear masks when shopping or dining, at least not by city mandate.
Business owners can require masks for customers and employees.
The City Council on Wednesday unanimously updated its mask requirements. The changes come as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week eased mask guidance for people fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Masks still will be required on public transit, in air travel and in city buildings.
“I join everyone who’s looking forward to less mask-wearing,” Mayor Kate Gallego said Wednesday, adding that city leaders have tried to adhere to guidance from health professionals. “Phoenix has tried to be informed by data and science.”
Phoenix, and a handful of other Arizona cities and one county, continued to require masks in public even after Gov. Doug Ducey in late March rolled back many remaining pandemic protocols, including cities’ and counties’ power to enforce local mask mandates.
The Phoenix City Council on Wednesday voted to revise its rules requiring face coverings in public to conform with the latest CDC guidance.
