On Tuesday, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey issued executive order 2020-36, titled “Stay Healthy, Return Smarter, Return Stronger”.

The new order declares previous executive orders 2020-18, 2020-24 and 2020-33 expired and rescinded at midnight tonight.  The order also declares that the state of Arizona will now enter into stage one of reopening in accordance with the “Guidelines for Opening Up America Again” published by the CDC and White House Coronavirus Task Force, until further notice.

Executive order 2020-18 was Arizona’s official stay-at-home order, “Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected”, which was initially set to expire April 30.

Executive order 2020-33 extended the original stay-at-home order until today.

Executive order 2020-24 required travelers arriving in Arizona from certain regions of the country to self-quarantine for 14 days.

The order stipulates that social distancing should still be followed and individuals with underlying conditions should continue to “take reasonable steps” to limit their time away from home.  It also warns that by returning to work or being out in public, individuals could still carry the virus back home.

The order states that businesses “shall develop, establish and implement policies based on guidance from the CDC, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and ADSH to limit and mitigate the spread of COVID-19”.  The measures include things like allowing and encouraging remote working, ensuring physical distancing and monitoring for sickness.

The order also gives credit to Arizonans for acting responsibly during the pandemic and directs law enforcement to “focus first on educating and working to promote best practices” before taking any enforcement actions.

“This is a green light to continue going forward on the way out of this pandemic. Now, this is not a green light to speed. This is a green light to proceed with caution,” Ducey said at a press conference on Tuesday, according to an Arizona Republic story.

The story also stated that gyms, spas and community swimming pools would be allowed to reopen on Wednesday, May, 20.