There are no travel restrictions or quarantine requirements in Arizona. Osborne also said there are other mandates on business that are accepted, like having sprinklers and fire extinguishers. Rain. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. I wish more places would lift the mask mandate.". While both the Maricopa County and Scottsdale mandates require individuals to wear masks in most public spaces, the orders differ in enforcement. Chaplik argued that the mandates are an overreaction and that society has managed to survive other viral outbreaks without masks. And that could result in difficulty in getting approval of future controversial measures. We look forward to welcoming you whenever youre ready to travel! SUSD Governing Board President Jann-Michael Greenburg has long been critical of the governors decision last year to punt the mask decision to individual school districts, arguing those decisions are best left to public health officials. The Maricopa County data, which also break down partially and fully vaccinated people, show that 46 percent of county residents are fully vaccinated. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Roberts said hes heard a figure that something like 90% of the state is covered by some local mask mandate. "Our tracking of COVID-19 cases on our campuses since the new school year began shows that the mask requirement that went into effect August 20 has been a successful part of our layered mitigation strategies to reduce virus transmission at our schools, keep students learning in person. Doug Ducey's executive order ending enforcement of the measure. Other Republicans who voted for the bill did not openly challenge the effectiveness of masks, properly worn, in preventing the spread of disease. Share with Us. ", "I'm happy to hear that. Rain. Attorney General Mark Brnovich filed an appeal to uphold four bills that were also shot down in the ruling of the state's attempted ban on mask mandates. Chance of rain 100%.. Cloudy. Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, said the main reason restrictions were imposed was to avoid overwhelming the states health care system with COVID-19 patients. or anything. He said the district will continue to implement other mitigation measures and stay in communication with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. Republican Rep. Joseph Chaplik, sponsor of HB 2770, said it would give businesses the choice of whether to enforce the mandates many communities already have adopted and that said consumers then would have the option of deciding if they want to do business there. Don't Threaten. SUSD officials responded that the description was part of a standard waiver form that wasnt tailored for SUSD use, and that the screener wouldnt acquire any of the information listed on the description. Scottsdale offers you advantages that few other destinations can match fresh air, sunny skies and the luxury of space. The mask debate is picking up again, this time in Scottsdale. person will not be tolerated. "Together these requirements promote transparency and the public's access to information about legislative action,'' she wrote. HonorHealth says hospitalizations now are at a manageable level in part because of masking up, and they hope residents will keep it up. Afirst-term Scottsdale legislator convinced colleagues last week to let businesses ignore mask mandates to stem the spread of COVID by arguing that they werent needed decades ago to stop the spread of AIDS. Although the Centers for Disease Control said on July 9 that vaccinated students and staff don't need masks in schools, another measure by the Legislature forbids districts from requiring COVID vaccinations or a mask for in-classroom instruction. Rain. Lane eventually allowed Scottsdales mandate to lapse in September in favor of the countys regulations, but new Mayor David Ortega reinstated the citys mandate when he took office in January. He said allowing people to ignore such an order sends a bad message. Duceys executive order did not impact schools. Scottsdale became one of the first cities in the state to act on that authority when former Mayor Jim Lane issued a mandate on June 18. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. @ScottsdaleUSD sat on this announcement as long as they could. In Scottsdale, new cases per 100,000 residents and positive new test results were up recently in three of the citys 10 ZIP codes, according to Maricopa County. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. that is degrading to another person. Ben Hoster said. Scottsdale became one of the first cities in the state to act on that authority Amandatory mask mandate issued by Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane in June will remain in place indefinitely pending further review by the mayors office. "It's the duty and authority of only the legislative branch to organize itself and make laws,'' he continued. In defending the laws, attorney Patrick Irvine argued that the Legislature has used this procedure for years and that there really is no definition of what is a "reconciliation'' bill. Be Nice. As of Wednesday, more than 2,000 Scottsdale Unified students were stuck at home because they tested positive for the virus or were a close contact of someone who tested positive. By Paul Maryniak and Wayne Schutsky, Progress News Staff, The ban deprives districts of a tool many relied on to help reduce, The issue came to a head at an SUSD school board meeting on May 18 when a group of unruly attendees including some Scottsdale parents as well as outside groups like the conservative Patriot Party of Arizona and Purple for Parents , Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, Maricopa County Department Of Public Health. He said his team recently identified a new variant with mutations that have shown to reduce antibody response in lab tests, though researchers still dont know how those lab tests translate into real-world scenarios. Don't Threaten. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Duceys order lifted mask mandates on private businesses, putting the onus on them to optionally enforce one if they choose. High 61F. Protester and Scottsdale Unified parent Sara Solem said that her 8-year-old child was in tears when the family learned that the district was considering reinstating a mask mandate. Please contact individual businesses directly if you would like detailed information on their efforts to protect you and other guests. Have a face mask handy based on your personal preference and in case of requirements. We also continue working on plans for a test-and-stay program after we return from Fall Break. Currently, only those students 5 and older are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID. Be Truthful. See my statement on the updated CDC guidance: https://t.co/YubNffZpq5 Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 27, 2021 Businesses will stay open. The measure is one of dozens that were tacked on without any hearing to the state budget bill passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Keep it Clean. Scottsdale 's neighbor to the east, the Town of Fountain Hills, is dropping its mask requirements for town buildings as of Jan. 1, 2022. Never miss an issue. Dr. Stephanie Jackson, senior vice president at HonorHealth, says the removal of this mandate may reverse the progress we have made to stop the spread of COVID-19 here in Maricopa County. "Unless the laws challenged in this case are declared unconstitutional and enjoined, a great many children in Arizona will get COVID-19, they will get sick, they will suffer from long COVID, they will be hospitalized, and they may die,'' Roopali Desai told Cooper. All Inclusive! If Ducey follows through on his threat, it could cost Kyrene $5.2 million and Tempe Union $2.8 million. We'd love to hear eyewitness That means districts not only are forbidden from requiring students and staff to wear masks in classrooms but also cannot require them for visitors to schools or citizens attending governing board meetings. You have permission to edit this article. ", "We all know masking has been very effective in bringing down the number of hospitalizations.". Last week, Lane told the Progress he was dropping the expiration date from the order. LaBaer said that means there is still a need to practice mitigation, including mask wearing and avoiding crowds. According to Todays News-Herald Havasu News, Cobb and the rest of that districts delegation had lobbied Lake Havasu officials to lift their mask requirement as early as last September, although it is unclear if they had also joined parents pressing the school board to lifting its mandate, which expired at the end of the school year. Sign up for free today. Don't knowingly lie about anyone The issue came to a head at an SUSD school board meeting on May 18 when a group of unruly attendees including some Scottsdale parents as well as outside groups like the conservative Patriot Party of Arizona and Purple for Parents refused to wear masks, prompting the board to suspend the meeting. Today was the date that Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Randall Warner in August determined was the effective date for the ban. Chance of rain 100%.. Cloudy. SUSD claimed that this order not only applied to public school transportation but private schools as well. But others have questioned the true impact the mask mandates had. racist or sexually-oriented language. Rain. person will not be tolerated. Cobb and her two district colleagues had joined the Mohave County Board of Supervisors in sending a letter to the governor in May of last year that demanded he lift restrictions on businesses. State Senator Michelle Ugenti-Rita (R-Scottsdale) responded to parents concerned over SUSDs decision to break state law with a mask mandate. High 61F. Low near 40F. (Rachel Nunes/Patch) SCOTTSDALE, AZ Four Scottsdale Unified School District board members face recall election petitions after they voted last week to Scottsdale Unified required masks right up to the end of the school year. You matter to us. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Noting there are about 610,000 children under 12 in Arizona who are not eligible for a vaccine, Harrell said the Legislatures decision puts them in harms way., And thats unacceptable, she said. or anything. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. Share with Us. High 61F. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. The Arizona Department of Health Services said 49.6 percent of all eligible Arizonans had received at least one dose of the vaccine. If these individuals continue to refuse to comply with the mask mandate, they can be cited. that is degrading to another person. Maricopa County is expected to vote on whether to extend their mandate on Oct. 7. Concerned parents asked SUSD about the screening description. Scottsdale says due to a recent drop in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, residents and visitors wont have to wear masks in public areas. LaBaer also noted that young people, though not in the same risk category as the elderly, are still vulnerable. These steps were targeted to situations where person-to-person infection conditions were known to be high, and so they had an immediate effect on reversing the infection rate trend, Lane said. Well, this definitely takes away choice from parents," Humble said, adding: "Theres no district in the whole state where they can take their kid especially one who is immunocompromised thats going to have assurances that the faculty and students are going to be wearing masks.. He also rapped Ducey for approving the measure. Be Truthful. It was the district's intention to continue a mask-optional policy, but the district was always clear that its plans could change based on circumstances, said Superintendent Scott Menzel. Chance of rain 100%. Never miss an issue. Scottsdale was one of the first cities in the state to adopt a mandate in June after Governor Doug Ducey issued an order allowing them to put their own mask Scottsdale Unified School District is keeping its mask mandate in effect for now after a Mar. Whats Open? Districts and school boards are now powerless to implement any mask measures without the legislature say so even if the CDC recommends. Board member Zach Lindsay voted against the mandate. Your health is the highest priority at Scottdale-area airports, from the moment you land until you depart for home. 15-342.05) from requiring students to be vaccinated against COVID. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Please be patient and kind to staff at our local businesses as they learn and adapt to new procedures. Low near 40F. LaBaer, too, acknowledged that enforcement impacted the effectiveness of mitigation measures, noting that Arizona faced a massive surge in cases over the winter when the mandates were still in effect. This will cause problems in the fall with the Legislature out of session., While the measure does not proscribe penalties for entities that violate the ban on mask mandates, it was denounced by former state health director Will Humble, executive director for the Arizona Public Health Association, who called the measure stupid., Its harmful, its ill-advised. Use the 'Report' link on What is illegal, she said, was piling them into just four separate so-called "budget reconciliation'' bills, each with what she said are broad, generic titles that fail to inform voters of the changes they enact. Periods of rain early. The city of Scottsdale has information on additional sites throughout the city. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. In her free time, she works on her books and podcasts. Keep it Clean. "The issue here is notwhatthe legislature decided buthowit decided what it did,'' she wrote. The legislation prohibited schools from requiring masks during school hours This bill is simply about not making 16-year-old waiters and waitresses police officers enforcing a criminal mask statute, he said. Why is @ScottsdaleUSD insistent on pushing the socialist agenda of the @JoeBiden administration wrote Ugenti-Rita. Scottsdale extends mask mandate indefinitely, By Wayne Schutsky, Progress Managing Editor. Get tested if youre feeling sick or have been exposed to the virus at free sites throughout the Scottsdale area. I think we should have masks on until this is over with. You have permission to edit this article. Periods of rain early. Typically comments during a public hearing are limited to the topic of the public hearing. By Corinne Murdock | Last Wednesday, the town of Gilbert apologized for creating a document ranking residents based on By Terri Jo Neff | At a time when one-fourth of all educator positions are vacant statewide, one Arizona school board By Corinne Murdock | Arizona State University (ASU) began paying for childrens gender transitions at the start of the ABOUT | NEWS |OPINION | ECONOMY | EDUCATION | CONTACT |CODE OF ETHICS | PRIVACY POLICY, A project of the Arizona Freedom Foundation | All Rights Reserved 2023, Scottsdale Unified School District Defies Arizonas Mask Mandate Ban, Gilbert Leaders Apologize For Enemy List Ranking Residents, WESD Accepts LGTBQ Community While Devaluing Christians, ASU Also Paying For Childrens Gender Transitions. And it comes as the more contagious Delta variant of the virus looms as a threat. When our officers respond to calls of mask mandate violations, we have a duty to educate the individuals involved about the current law, Sgt. You have permission to edit this article. Chance of rain 100%.. Cloudy. It failed to get the necessary votes when it was considered as a separate measure. and reduce the number of students having to quarantine," the district said. April" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/dougducey/ Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Data obtained by the Progress show police issued just three citations for mask mandate violations between June 18, 2020, the day Scottsdales mask mandate took effect - and March 14. But our health officials again this year took no action, so I think its a bad policy.. Scottsdale Mayor, Jim Lane, has ordered the city's mask mandate to end. Scottsdale Unified officials cited the ruling in announcing that "SUSD will continue to require masks for students and staff while indoors on our campuses and other district facilities until at least two weeks" after fall break, which runs Oct. 11-15. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. There were two main camps at a rally in Scottsdale Wednesday: people against wearing masks and people against being told to wear masks. Never miss an issue. At the end of a lengthy school board meeting, preceded by a parent protest, board members voted 4-1 in favor of implementing a mask requirement. And it's been done for political reasons. racist or sexually-oriented language. Cobb also appeared before Kingman City Council to criticize its mask mandate in September, according to the Mohave Valley Daily News, which quoted her as telling officials: I have heard from many local citizens of how divisive this proclamation has been to our community. The new ban comes at a time when vaccination rates are flagging and when the more contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 has been spreading across Arizona and the rest of the country. Humble said the mask mandate ban had been in the works for days and condemned state Department of Health Services Director Cara Christ for keeping silent. Rep. Diego Rodriguez, D-Phoenix, said Chaplik is wrong in arguing that mask mandates are an example of government overreach. Folks, this is getting away from us, Hart-Wells said. Humble said that people who need to worry about that variant which some experts said appears to trigger more serious cases of COVID-19 infection and most hospitalizations are those who have not been vaccinated. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. The district required masks for students learning in person last year, but Solem said that many parents based their decision to send their kids to Scottsdale Unified this year on the expectation that masks would be optional. Sign up for free today. The bill doesnt say masks dont work," he said. Face coverings still are required in most public places in Scottsdale due to Maricopa County's mask mandate. Rep. Bret Roberts, R-Maricopa, expressed similar beliefs. A crowd of parents and concerned citizens gathered on the sidewalk outside of the district's Mohave Annex Tuesday evening, waving American flags and holding signs that shared messages such as, "masks = fake science," and "I do not coparent with SUSD's governing board.". Down the number of students having to quarantine, '' the district will continue to implement other measures. Patch newsletters and alerts more places would lift the mask mandate. `` and.! 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Us, Hart-Wells said fire extinguishers these individuals continue to refuse to comply with the Maricopa County and Scottsdale require! Time in Scottsdale due to a recent drop in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and. Questioned the true impact the mask debate is picking up again, this time in Scottsdale Wednesday: people wearing. And adapt to new procedures Scottsdale mandates require individuals to wear masks in most public spaces, orders! It comes as the elderly, are still vulnerable she wrote, they can be cited priority at Scottdale-area,. Could cost Kyrene $ 5.2 million and Tempe Union $ 2.8 million detailed information on additional sites the... The mask mandate, they can be cited here is notwhatthe legislature decided decided. That young people, though not in the same risk category as the more contagious Delta variant of vaccine... Susd claimed that this order not only applied to public school transportation but private schools as.... 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