By Jeremy Duda |Arizona Mirror
Gov. Doug Ducey’s decision to modify and extend the stay-at-home order he enacted to combat the COVID-19 outbreak is emblematic of his methodical, deliberative and sometimes cautious governing style, and came as no surprise to those who have worked closely with him during his years as Arizona’s chief executive.
The executive order Ducey implemented at the end of March expires on Thursday. Under the new order he signed on Wednesday, most of it will remain in place. Many non-essential businesses, including bars, salons, gyms and movie theaters must remain closed, and large gatherings are still prohibited. But retail businesses not deemed essential by the governor’s previous orders can reopen May 4, and Ducey laid the groundwork for restaurants to resume dine-in service sometime in May, setting what he called an “aspirational goal” of May 12.
To some of the people who know Ducey best, the details of his announcement on Wednesday were entirely predictable.
Related: Gov. Doug Ducey is reopening Arizona far too slowly (VIDEO ONLY) A gradual reopening might be OK, Republic columnist Robert Robb says, but Gov. Doug Ducey was far too conservative in extending his stay-at-home order./Editor’s note: Opinion pieces are published for discussion purposes only.) WATCH
