What You Need to Know-Week of June 29th

 

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In this Update:

1. Guidance from the Governor: New Executive Order

2. Guidance from the Governor: New Executive Order

3. Testing Tips: Frequently Asked Questions for Diagnostic Testing

 

 

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1. Guidance from the Governor: New Executive Order

 

Today, the Governor’s office announced three new executive orders due to rising COVID-19 cases in Arizona. These orders cover target start dates for school, operating restrictions for certain businesses, and protecting our health care professionals. The full text of the executive orders can be found on the Governor’s website.

Order #1:

• Renews the “Good Samaritan Order” which protects paid and volunteer healthcare professionals working on the front line (see executive order for full guidance).
• In effect until December 31, 2020.

Order #2: 

• Operations for bars, gyms, movie theaters, waterparks and tubing will be temporarily paused (see executive order for full guidance).
• Mass gatherings of 50 or more people should be limited. 
• No more than 10 people should congregate in or near public or private pools. 
• In effect until July 27, 2020, unless extended.

Order #3: 

• Delays the first day of in-person school to a target date of August 17, 2020. Schools may begin on their planned start date prior to August 17th, only if through distance learning is implemented (see executive order for full guidance).
• In effect until the start of in-person classes.

 

2. Pandemic Preparedness: Mask Mandates for Arizona Cities

 

All infected individuals, regardless of whether they are showing symptoms or not, CAN indeed transmit COVID-19 (click here to read more). However, wearing a mask limits the potential spread of the virus, even from those who don’t know that they have been infected. When you wear a mask you are protecting everyone around you and to a lesser extent yourself. We all want to do our part to help reduce transmission and protect the people around us. This small, but impactful action protects the community and those most vulnerable to the virus.

In many cities, mask wearing is being mandated by city officials. For cities that do not have specific requirements, per CDC recommendations, everyone over age 2 without prohibitive medical conditions should wear a cloth face covering while in public spaces, especially indoors and outdoors when you cannot adhere to physical distancing. Each jurisdiction has slightly different mandates, so read the specifics for your city’s requirements carefully. Places of businesses may have additional requirements that vary from the city mandates.

Individual city requirements can be found in the table below. Click on your city/area name for a full list of exceptions and requirements.

Cities/Areas	Requirements	Went into effect	Exceptions
Avondale	Masks are required at retail establishments, convenience stores, grocery stores, pharmacies, gyms, indoor sports or activity facilities, and medical offices.	Sunday, June 21 at 12:01am	Those under the age of 2 Individuals with disabilities and underlying medical conditions that would prohibit wearing a face mask.
Buckeye	Buckeye will be following the Maricopa county face mask mandate: Face masks are required in public places.	Saturday, June 20th at 12am	Those under the age of 6
Carefree	Face masks will be required in public places and in businesses.	Thursday, June 18th	Those under the age of 5
Casa Grande	Everyone is required to wear a mask in public.	Saturday, June 20th at 6am	Those under the age of 6
Chandler	Face coverings are required when in public places.	Saturday, June 20th	Those under the age of 6
Coconino County	Residents and visitors are required to wear masks when social distancing isn’t possible.	Saturday, June 20th at 12pm	Only applies to the unincorporated areas of the county, not within the cities and towns.
Flagstaff	Face masks must be worn in public places.	Saturday, June 20th at 8pm	Those under the age of 5
Fountain Hills	Fountain Hills will be following the Maricopa county face mask mandate: Face masks are required in public places.	Saturday, June 20th at 12am	The regulations do not apply to people in homes Children under 2 years old Restaurant patrons while they are eating and drinking People walking or exercising outdoors (while maintaining six feet of distance) When in a personal vehicle or other personal space In settings where it is not practical or feasible to wear a Face Covering, including when obtaining or rendering goods or services, such dental services, medical treatments or while swimming For persons who fall into the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance for those who should not wear face coverings due to a medical or mental health condition or developmental disability
Gilbert	Face coverings are required in places where physical distancing isn’t possible, for both indoor and outdoor spaces.	Friday, June 19th at 5 pm	Those who cannot wear a face covering due to a medical or behavioral condition Children under 6 years of age Restaurant patrons while they are dining When complying with directions of law enforcement officers Where it is not practical/feasible to wear a face covering, such as the receipt of dental services or while swimming Anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance
Glendale	People are required to wear a face covering in public.	Saturday, June 20th at 12:01am	Those under the age of 6
Goodyear	Everyone is required to wear a face mask in public.	Saturday, June 20th	Those under the age of 6 Those with medical conditions  Anyone exercising outdoors
Guadalupe	People are required to wear a face covering while in public.	Friday, June 19th	Those under the age of 6
Litchfield Park	People are required to wear a face covering in public spaces.	Friday, June 19th	Those under the age of 4
Maricopa County	Face masks are required in public places.	Saturday, June 20th at 12am	Rules don’t apply for cities within the county, only in unincorporated areas Those under the age of 6
Mesa	Face masks are required in public. FAQ can be found here.	Monday, June 22	Those under the age of 6 Private and charter schools Those who have a medical, mental health, or developmental condition that prohibits them from wearing a face covering Restaurant and bar patrons (while eating or drinking) While inside a personal or commercial vehicle that is not public transportation When exercising at a gym when physical distancing can be maintained Inside a workspace not intended for use by the general public Religious institutions or those with religious beliefs that would prohibit wearing a face covering Those complying with directions from public safety employees and emergency responders
Nogales	Masks are to be worn in public spaces.	Thursday, June 18th	Those under the age of 2 Not required while eating Those exercising outdoors alone or swimming
Paradise Valley	Paradise Valley will be following the Maricopa county face mask mandate: Face masks are required in public places.	Saturday, June 20th at 12am	The regulations do not apply to people in their homes Children under 2 years old Restaurant patrons while they are eating and drinking People walking or exercising outdoors (while maintaining six feet of distance) When in a personal vehicle (with only household members), office or other personal space Recognized medical exceptions (people do not have to provide proof)
Payson	Masks are to be worn in public spaces.	Thursday, June 18th at 5pm	Those under the age of 2
Peoria	Face masks are required in public places.	Monday, June 22 at 6am	Those under the age of 6
Phoenix	Everyone over the age of six years old must wear a face mask while in a public area within Phoenix.	Saturday, June 20 at 6am	Those with a medical condition or disability who are under 6 years of age Those with religious beliefs that prevent them from wearing a face covering Restaurant patrons while they are eating/drinking Those exercising outdoors (as long as physical distanding can be maintained) Those engaging in team sports or exercising where it is not feasible to wear a mask People in settings where it is not practical to wear a face covering (e.g., receiving dental services)
Queen Creek	Queen Creek will be following the Maricopa county face mask mandate: Face masks are required in public places.	Saturday, June 20th at 12am	The regulations do not apply to people in their homes Children under 2 years old Restaurant patrons while they are eating and drinking People walking or exercising outdoors (while maintaining six feet of distance) When in a personal vehicle (with only household members), office or other personal space Recognized medical exceptions (people do not have to provide proof)
Santa Cruz County	County residents are required to wear face coverings while in public. This jurisdiction does not apply to cities within the county, unless indicated otherwise by the city.	Sunday, June 21st	Those under the age of 2 Those at a food establishment may remove their masks while eating / drinking Jail inmates Those who are swimming Law enforcement officers (if it is creating a risk)
Scottsdale	Masks are to be worn in public spaces.	Friday, June 19th	Those under the age of 6 Those exercising outdoors Those with a medical condition that prohibits them from wearing a face covering
Surprise	Face coverings are required within the city when physical distancing is not possible.	Saturday, June 20th	Those aged 2 and under
Tempe	Masks are to be worn in public spaces.	Thursday, June 18th	If religious beliefs conflict with wearing face coverings Those exercising outdoors Those under the age of 6 Those with certain medical conditions
Tolleson	Masks are to be worn in public spaces.	Saturday, June 20 at 8am	Those under the age of 2 Those with medical conditions that prohibit them from wearing a face covering
Tucson	Masks are to be worn in public spaces. FAQ can be found here.	Saturday, June 20th at 6am	Those under the age of 2 Those exercising outdoors Those with medical conditions that prohibit wearing a face covering While in personal spaces
Yuma	Thursday, June 18th at 1pm	Thursday, June 18th at 1pm	Those under the age of 2 Those exercising outdoors Those unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition

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Cities that strongly recommend face coverings:

• Apache Junction
• Bullhead City
• Cave Creek
• El Mirage
• Prescott

 

3. Testing Tips: Frequently Asked Questions for Diagnostic Testing

What is diagnostic testing and how does it differ from antibody testing?

• Diagnostic testing (also called viral testing), tells you whether or not you currently have a COVID-19 infection. This type of test is administered through a respiratory swab (usually taken from the nose) and can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days depending on the type of diagnostic test. There are two diagnostic tests available. PCR testing usually takes longer because the respiratory sample needs to be sent out to a laboratory to be analyzed, while antigen testing may take only a few minutes to receive results. 
• Antibody testing on the other hand, detects whether someone has been exposed to the virus in the past and has developed COVID-19-specific antibodies.
• The table below compares the available tests. 

 

	Diagnostic Testing	Diagnostic Testing	Serologic Testing
	Antigen Test	PCR Test	Antibody Test
Other names for this test:	Rapid test	Diagnostic test, viral test	Serologic test
What is being tested?	Whether someone currently has an active COVID-19 infection. This test detects proteins that are associated with COVID-19.	Whether someone currently has an active COVID-19 infection. This test detects genetic material of COVID-19.	Any developed immune response to COVID-19.
What samples are usually taken?	Respiratory swab (usually inside the nose).  Newly developed saliva tests will be increasing in availability.	Respiratory swab (usually inside the nose)	A blood sample
How long does it usually take to receive results?	Usually a few minutes	Usually a few days	Usually a few minutes (rapid tests) or up to several days (laboratory tests)
What does a positive result mean?	You currently have COVID-19.	You currently have COVID-19.	You have likely had the virus in the past or have been previously exposed to COVID-19.

Why is diagnostic testing important?

• The more individuals being tested, the better picture we have of the pandemic and the effects of the virus on ourselves, on our loved ones, and on our community.
• Testing for infection allows you to isolate yourselves from others to keep from transmitting the virus.
• It allows public health to contact you and identify others that need to quarantine because they have been exposed. 
• Testing can help scientists and health professionals understand: 
  • How individuals are getting sick
  • How the virus spreads, and how quickly
  • The contagiousness of sick individuals
  • How to inform treatment options
  • How to best allocate healthcare resources
  • How to keep hospitals and health facilities informed about spread within a community to ensure resources are available (e.g., enough hospital beds).
• Testing can help public health decide:
  • What kinds of prevention measures need to be enacted.
  • Whether or not the prevention strategies in place are working.
  • Where there are clusters of transmission
  • Which vulnerable populations need more testing or more support

Should I receive a diagnostic test for COVID-19?

• If you are showing COVID-19 symptoms, it is important to get tested. 
• If you have had close contact with someone who recently tested positive for COVID-19, it is also a good idea to get tested. Evidence suggests that the virus test (also called diagnostic, PCR, or antigen test) is the most accurate when someone is showing symptoms. 
  • You may not know you have been exposed until a public health professional called a contact tracer contacts you. You may want to get tested after they have contacted you. It is important to answer any call that says it is from the health department in Arizona OR one of the Universities; University of Arizona, Arizona State University or Northern Arizona University. The public health departments are working together with our universities to carry out contact tracing. They work as fast as they can to call everyone that has been identified as a contact to make sure they stay home to keep us all safe. 
  • For individuals who will go on to show symptoms, on average, symptoms usually appear 5-7 days after exposure, although it may take up to 14 days. Other infected individuals may not ever show symptoms despite being contagious. For information on the differences between these types of cases, please visit this link. 
  • If you have been exposed to COVID-19 and are not showing symptoms, you should assume that you are positive for the virus and are contagious to others. In these cases, you may get tested 5-7 days or more after your exposure, but you should be aware that your test result may not be accurate. For information on what daily precautions to take, visit this link.
• If you are directed to get a test by a health facility for any reason (e.g., elective surgery), or your workplace requires you get tested, it is important to get tested.

How do I get tested?

State testing procedures vary by testing facility. To find a testing facility near you, visit this link. Most of the sites found at this link require pre-registration, so make sure to complete the registration form if this is necessary. If there is no pre-registration form to fill out, make sure to call ahead to the testing site to let them know you are coming.

Does it cost money?

It depends. Some facilities may charge a fee for COVID-19 diagnostic testing, some testing sites will take insurance to cover the testing cost either fully or partially, and others may provide testing free of charge as long as the tested individual meets criteria for a test (which may vary by location). Make sure to call your chosen testing facility to confirm their cost for testing.

What should I do while I am waiting for my diagnostic test result?

• You should assume that you have the virus and are contagious. Stay home until you receive your test result (if your test result is positive, you will need to stay home for an additional 10 days). 
• Follow additional safety precautions outlined here for what to do if someone is sick in your home.

I got my COVID-19 diagnostic test result, what should I do now?

• If you received a positive diagnostic test, you currently have COVID-19. You should stay home for 10 days and avoid contact with anyone after you receive your positive result. For information on what precautions to take, visit this link. As contact tracing can take time, notify anyone you were in close contact with since three days before symptom onset.
• If you received a negative diagnostic test, you are less likely to have COVID-19 (if you received a test 5+ days after your exposure). If you get tested too early the test may not pick up the virus so it is important to wait until the right time for testing and you may need to get tested more than once. Because 20% of people that test negative may still have the virus you should still take the daily precautions necessary to prevent a COVID-19 infection, including staying home as much as possible and wearing a mask while in public.

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The next update will cover more about face masks. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to COVID-19 in Arizona, please complete next week’s AZCOVIDTXT survey that you will receive via text in about a week.