The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 Thursday to extend business closures through April 10 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The measure, which went into effect March 19, limits restaurants to drive-thru and takeout and also calls for the closure of fitness centers, movie theaters, bingo halls, performance venues and similar public gathering sites. Pharmacies, grocery stores, banks and other essential services are not affected.
While the closures were supposed to end by March 31, the supervisors voted to extend that timeline during an emergency meeting Thursday.
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The decision coincides with Gov. Doug Ducey and Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman鈥檚 order to close all K-12 public schools through April 10. The board said it will reconsider the business closure every two weeks.
Republican Supervisor Steve Christy voted no, along with Supervisor Ally Miller, to extend the closure based on what he called 鈥渁rbitrary鈥 reasoning and uncertainty for local businesses and employees.
鈥淭hese deadlines, made only to be extended, cause damaging uncertainty to business,鈥 said Christy. 鈥淏usinesses cannot survive on uncertainty.鈥
The board also voted 4-1 to send a letter to the governor urging him to consider all options, including a shelter-in-place order, for the entire state. 蜜柚直播 Mayor Regina Romero announced a similar plan Tuesday.
鈥淲hat we want to do is flatten the curve,鈥 Supervisor Sharon Bronson said. 鈥淭he sooner we act, the better. It鈥檚 all uncertain. This is all new. Today does not look like tomorrow, and we may have to act differently tomorrow as we learn more about this virus, but again, we need to flatten the curve.鈥
In addition to extending the business closures, the board adjusted the penalties that some businesses face for not adhering to these new requirements. While the initial measure established a misdemeanor charge for owners that violated the order, the county will now issue civil penalties instead. Businesses in violation of the order will be issued an initial warning and will receive financial penalties if the violation continues.
鈥淚t鈥檚 difficult to tie up law enforcement for such a matter so we feel much better issuing a civil penalty,鈥 said county administrator Chuck Huckelberry.
The meeting also addressed the fact that certain businesses such as swap meets, farmers markets and hair salons that have continued to operate. While swap meets were not included in the order, Huckelberry said the Tanque Verde Swap Meet has voluntarily closed.
Last week, Ducey listed certified farmers markets, hair salons and barber shops as essential services in the state of 蜜柚直播, which are not required to close. Huckelberry said local farmers markets have developed specific guidelines to protect customers and employees as they continue to operate and provide necessary services for the public during this time.
As of Thursday afternoon, a total of 508 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in 蜜柚直播 with 75 known cases in Pima County. The state health department has identified eight coronavirus related deaths in 蜜柚直播, including two Pima County residents.
Photos for March 26: 蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
蜜柚直播, coronavirus pandemic

Izzy Thesz, a junior at the University of 蜜柚直播 and member of the club cheer team, practices her tumbling in a mostly empty central mall outside of the Albert B. Weaver Science-Engineering Library, on March 26, 2020.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus pandemic

Two pedestrians wearing gloves and masks walk past, a closed down, Chicago Music Store in Downtown 蜜柚直播 on March 23, 2020. People in 蜜柚直播, Ariz. are starting to wear masks and gloves due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
蜜柚直播, coronavirus pandemic

Bill Bresnahan, center, practices his putting with other golfers while waiting to tee off at hole one of Dell Urich Course at Randolph Golf Course in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on March 23, 2020. Golf is increasingly becoming more popular due to the urged 鈥淪ocial Distance鈥 because of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
蜜柚直播, coronavirus pandemic

A sign at Sewell Elementary School, 425 N. Sahuaro Ave., informs the public that schools will be closed until April 10th due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Photo taken in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on March 25, 2020.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus pandemic

Roman Martinez, freshman pre-business major at the University of 蜜柚直播, gets in a calisthenics workout using a Fit Core system at Mansfield Park, 2000 N. Fourth Ave., in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on March 25, 2020.听
蜜柚直播, coronavirus pandemic

A women walks down N. Craycroft Rd. wearing a mask and gloves, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on March 25, 2020.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus pandemic

Sixten Jordan, center, senior creative media and film major at Northern 蜜柚直播 University, Abigail Jackson, senior political science and international affairs major at NAU, and Max, 8-year-old mix, eat lunch at Mansfield Park, 2000 N. Fourth Ave., in 蜜柚直播, Ariz., on March 25, 2020. Due to numerous places closing because of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), parks are becoming a popular spot to hangout and partake in activities.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus pandemic

Marina Cornelius, owner of Floor Polish Dance + Fitness, teaches her Cardio Party-O class via Periscope to her students on March 20, 2020. Cornelius says this is the first time she's trying to livestream classes and is learning as she goes.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus pandemic

Sun sets behind the darkened Galaxy Theater closed in the aftermath of the COVID-19 restrictions, entering their second week in effect, March 25, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
蜜柚直播, coronavirus pandemic

Chris Larsen pours himself a drink while chatting, and keeping his distance, from a few of his neighbors in Bario Viejo during the nightly get-together at Mendoza Park, March 24, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
Contact reporter Jasmine Demers at jdemers@tucson.com.
On Twitter: @JasmineADemers.