The Latest Covid-19 Update From The City of Phoenix

Schools in Arizona will remain closed for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year

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PHOENIX⁠ — Governor Doug Ducey today announced an extension of physical distancing measures while laying out a step-by-step approach to continue reenergizing Arizona’s economy. The Governor today issued an Executive Order extending Arizona’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected Order until May 15, 2020.

The order also continues Arizona’s gradual economic reopening, allowing retail businesses to begin partial operations starting next week. Under the order, retail businesses currently not operating can begin curbside pick-up on Monday, May 4, followed by expanded in-person operations on Friday, May 8 as long as they implement social distancing and sanitation measures established by the United States Department of Labor or the Arizona Department of Health Services.

“Arizona’s focus has been protecting public health and slowing the spread of COVID-19 — and this approach is working,” said Governor Ducey. “Physical distancing is making a difference. We’re slowing the spread. The last thing we want to do now is undo these gains. Today’s announcement continues Arizona’s calm, steady approach while taking new steps to breathe life into our small businesses. Arizona is eager to reenergize our economy, and we will continue to take a gradual, step-by-step approach that’s guided by data and public health.”

Reinvigorating Main Street

Starting Monday, May 4, 2020, retail businesses will be allowed to sell goods through delivery service, window service, walk-up service, drive-through service, drive-up service or curbside delivery provided they establish and implement sanitation and physical distancing measures. This updated guidance applies to the act of selling goods, not services.

In addition, the Governor announced Arizona is aiming to allow restaurants to offer dine-in services to customers in May. Additional guidance will be developed in coordination with public health officials and will be provided in the days ahead

Unemployment Assistance/ Public Transit Info

DES announces Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is set to launch May 12. Applications will be processed beginning the week of May 12 and payments will begin for eligible claimants that same week. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2yGraqR
UPDATE! Public Transit, including Dial-a-Ride – Visit Valley Metro website for current trip schedules. Beginning May 4 Seating on all bus routes is limited in order to support social distancing measures between passengers. Express and RAPID commuter bus service will continue to run on a reduced schedule. Public Transit Centers remain closed. Valley Metro light rail runs on a 15-minute frequency 4:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. with no late night service on Friday and Saturday. Sunday service will remain the same on light rail. Read detailed Public Transit impacted services statement

Services

Trash and Recycling Services – Read detailed Public Works impacted services statement
Street Maintenance – Read detailed Streets impacted services statement
Water and Wastewater – Read detailed Water Department impacted services statement

Community

Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Monthly supplement of food from the basic food groups for nutritionally at risk pregnant women, women who recently gave birth, infants, and children. INFO: azdhs.gov/prevention/azwic

Student Meals

Deer Valley Unified School District
DVUSD will offer free grab-and-go school breakfasts and lunches to children ages 18 and under in our community beginning Monday, March 23. Meals will be distributed from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at select DVUSD school and community locations. INFO: dvusd.org

Family or Individual Meals

Andre House Dinner Service
Hours: Dinner (Saturday through Thursday 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.) Dinner service for individuals experiencing homelessness. Meals will be delivered in To-Go containers. 213 S. 11th Ave., Phoenix, 85007. (602) 255-0580. INFO: andrehouse.org

Arizona Food Bank Network
The Arizona Food Bank Network has a website allowing you to search your location to find a food bank near you. INFO: azfoodbanks.org

Harvest Compassion Center
Harvest Compassion Center offers families free groceries, hygiene items, clothing and baby items. The location in north Phoenix is open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The Maryvale location is open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from :00 a.m. –11:30 a.m. They are also looking for donations and volunteers under the age of 65. INFO: azfoodbanks.org

Hope for Hunger Food Bank
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – Noon. 5605 N. 55th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301. Phoenix Rescue Mission’s Hope for Hunger Food Bank offers free food boxes in a drive-thru style of service. Walk-ins are welcome, proof of address and ID is required. INFO: phoenixrescuemission.org/hope-for-hunger

Interfaith Cooperative Ministries
ICM offers food boxes, walk-ins welcome between 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. No referral needed, proof of address needed. Clothing, baby formula and diaper provided. Call (602) 254-7450 to make sure resources are still available.

Living Streams Church Food Pantry
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Walk-ins served. No referral required. Please bring in a photo ID. 7000 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 85020. (602) 957-7500. INFO: livingstreams.org

Neighborhood Ministries Inc.
Serves meals to families only. Provides hot meals. Fridays 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Walk-ins served. No referral required. Photo ID and proof of address. 1918 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix, 85009. (602) 252-5225. INFO: nmphx.com/programs/food-clothing-bank

Salvation Army
Salvation Army is providing essentials to the community between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., where they can come in and receive limited amounts of toilet paper, feminine products, food and other things that seem to be sparse right now. INFO: arizona.salvationarmy.org

Southwest Human Development
Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Southwest Human Development is offering free, grab-and-go meals through the end of school closures for families with children. Drive-through and receive breakfast and lunch all in one bag to go. INFO: swhd.org

St. Vincent De Paul
For those looking for one of St. Vincent de Paul’s food banks or to visit one of its dining halls. INFO: stvincentdepaul.net

United Food Bank’s Help Yourself Food Distribution
Each Friday, from 8:00 a.m. – Noon, those with an “immediate need” can visit United Food Bank’s Help YourSelf Co-Op to receive food, as long as supplies last. The food bank is located at 358 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa. INFO: unitedfoodbank.org

Arizona Together
Resources list provided by the State of Arizona. See information about utilities, business information, and additional support organizations. INFO: ArizonaTogether.org

Pets and COVID-19
Families include those members of the four-legged variety. Naturally, safeguarding them is important. INFO: CDC – Animals and American Veterinary Medical Association

USAGov Resources
USAGov share how agencies across the federal government are responding to the COVID-19 outbreak. Helpful information is provided on the following topics: housing, education, travel, immigration, transportation, health, safety and much more. INFO: usa.gov/coronavirus

How To Help

Food donations are always appreciated but the best and safest way to donate is online from the comfort of your home. “Go to www.firstfoodbank.org, where with very dollar donated, seven meals are put out into the community,” said Brown. “Donate 10 bucks, provide 70 meals for a family.”

AzCA, one of the oldest and largest statewide child welfare and behavioral health nonprofit agencies in the state, is looking to the community for emergency funding to aid foster youth and families facing difficult circumstances. These funds will allow the agency to make sure individuals are current on their utility bills and rent, as well as make sure they have gas money to get to work and food in their pantries. AzCA serves more than 40,000 children, individuals and families in all 15 counties annually. Donate at ArizonasChildren.org/Creating-Connections-in-Chaos.

In response to school closings, Arizona Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (formerly Boys & Girls Clubs of East Valley – Metro Phoenix) have opened several local clubs during school hours to serve their members and the greater community. The Clubs are primarily focused on providing childcare for healthcare workers and first responders who do not have the option to stay home and care for their children. Parents who are able to stay home with their children are asked to keep them home. Boys & Girls Clubs the Valley leadership is working with the Arizona Department of Health Services to ensure compliance with all safety recommendations.

Those wishing to help can make financial donations and contribute cleaning supplies to support staff and keep Clubs open.

• Donations to support Club operations can be made online here: https://bgcmp.org/donate/

• Donations of cleaning supplies and hand sanitizers can be brought to one of the clubs that are currently open. Please refer to this link for the most up-to-date list of clubs remaining open: www.bgcmp.org/updates.

The Singletons support single parent households battling cancer and in times of crisis these families are in need of essential materials.

Local families are in dire need of the following items:

• Toilet paper

• Laundry Detergent

• Paper towels

• Kleenex

• Liquid antibacterial hand soap

• All EPA-registered disinfectants such as Lysol spray or cleaning supplies that have Clorox.

Every donation is essential for Singletons families right now. The Singletons families are of the most vulnerable with compromised immune systems making them more susceptible to attracting illnesses. The organization’s supplies are down due to shortages in stores and a shortage in donations of items. If you are able to donate any spare items please call and leave a message at (480)818-5285 or email [email protected]. No donation too small.

Information Lines

24/7 Behavioral Health Crisis by Mercy Care: (800) 631-1314 or (602) 222-9444
EMPACT Crisis Hotline (480) 784-1500
24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800) 273-8255 (TALK)
24/7 National Sexual Assault Hotline (800) 656-7673 (HOPE)
24/7 National LGBT Hotline (888) 843-4564
24/7 Senior Help Line, (602) 264-4357
24/7 Help for Homeless Veterans (877) 424-3838 (4AID-VET)
24/7 Teenagers and Young Adults (602) 841-5799
Teen Lifeline (602) 248-8336 (TEEN)
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) (866) 232-8484. Speak with licensed social workers who are trained in dementia care to assist callers with topics/questions about combating isolation, keeping engaged, washing tips, caregiver stress, whether family members should visit during this time, items to have in the home, and more.
Individuals should work with their healthcare provider about testing. If you are an AHCCCS member who is experiencing flu-like symptoms, please call the 24-hour Nurse Line for your health plan (listed below):

24 Hour Nurse Lines and Covid Tracker

1-866-534-5963 Arizona Complete Health (ACC & RBHA)
1-888-747-7990 Banner (ACC & LTC)
1-800-746-3163 Care1st
1-800-201-1795 CMDP
1-844-770-9500 DDD AIHP
1-855-458-0622 Health Choice Arizona (ACC & RBHA)
1-800-424-5891 Magellan
1-800-624-3879 Mercy Care (ACC & LTC)
1-800-564-5465 Mercy Care (RBHA)
1-877-440-0255 UnitedHealthcare (ACC & LTC)

COVID-19 Tracker
See up-to-date tracking and reporting information. INFO: bing.com/covid/local/unitedstates

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
How to prepare and protect yourself, what to do if you’re sick and more. INFO: cdc.gov

Commercial Testing
LabCorp COVID-19 Testing (PDF)
SonoraQuest COVID-19 Testing

Coronavirus Guidelines for America
Frequently asked questions about COVID-19. INFO: coronavirus.gov

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Information for workers and employers about COVID-19 from the U.S. Department of Labor.
INFO: osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19

Ongoing Information

All of the information below is available on the City of Phoenix website ( https://www.phoenix.gov/ )

All information about the City of Phoenix response to the COVID-19 public health emergency can be found at https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/em-and-hs/1054
- Residents can find this information by visiting https://www.phoenix.gov and selecting the Coronavirus banner image “Coronavirus Update.”
All information about services affected by the COVID-19 public health emergency is available on the City’s website.

Resources for Small Businesses

Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA)
ASBA and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry have launched the CARES Act Readiness Program for Small Businesses. This free online training program for small business owners gives both novice and experienced borrowers individualized support to navigate the CARES Act and access relief funds to sustain their business. INFO: caresactaz.com

Beauty Changes Lives
$1,000 Relief grants are being offered to beauty professionals or students of beauty programs whose lives have been drastically changed by mandated closures in response to COVID-19. Application deadline is May 4, 2020.

Better Business Bureau (BBB)
The Main St. Matters grant program offers emergency grants in the form of $500 or $1,000 awards for businesses who have been financially impacted during the COVID-19 crisis. This program will go live at noon on Wednesday, April 29.

Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC)
GPEC is providing resources to help companies with their applications for the new wave of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funding such as “Chat Live Now” to help those with questions, and “Tips for PPP Applicants” which includes feedback from banks. INFO: Nine CARES Act Resources for Small Businesses

Greater Phoenix SCORE
In addition to recorded Webinars, offers FREE one-on-one remote mentoring appointments, to business owners seeking answers to their questions on Covid19 related regulations and funding application processes. INFO: https://greaterphoenix.score.org/coronavirus

Kiva
Kiva is a non-profit organization aimed at expanding access to capital, offers up to $15,000 at 0% interest. INFO: kiva.org/borrow

Opportunity Finance Network
This network is partnering with Google to launch the Grow with Google Small Business Fund to support small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, especially those in distressed communities. INFO: ofn.org/coronavirus

Prestamos CDFI, LLC
Prestamos, a Community Development Financial Institution, is offering COVID Micro Loans of up to $25,000 with the first six payments paid (both principal and interest) directly by the SBA. INFO: prestamosloans.org/covidmicro

Salesforce
Salesforce is partnering with Ureeka to offer eligible small businesses the opportunity to receive a $10,000 grant. Companies with two to 50 employees who have been in business for two full years as of March 2020 may apply. Visit the application site for eligibility requirements and details. Application opens April 27 and closes May 4.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

SBA Disaster Assistance Loan Application
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has streamlined its Disaster Assistance Loan Application. Companies can apply for emergency loans and small business assistance at the SBA Disaster Assistance Loans Portal: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/. The SBA can be reached by phone at (800) 659-2955 or email

The city created a roadmap (PDF) and a short video to help walk businesses through the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Assistance Portal. Recommend viewing the video prior to going onto the SBA Disaster Assistance Portal. Video in Spanish: (Ver video en español). Roadmap in Spanish: (Ver guía en español (PDF))

Small Business Paycheck Protection Program (PDF)
Small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply for the Small Business Paycheck Protection Program (PDF). The PPP Information Sheet for Borrowers (PDF) offers insightful information on this federal program, with the online application (PDF). Use this tool to enter your zip code to find a nearby SBA-approved lending institution that can issue a loan under this Program. Visit the SBA’s Frequently Asked Questions for Lenders and Borrowers webpage for more information.

The SBA provides export loans to help small businesses achieve sales through exports and can help businesses respond to opportunities and challenges associated with trade, such as COVID-19. Visit the SBA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources webpage for information.

Office of Advocacy
The SBA’s Office of Advocacy shares resources for small businesses in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Executive Order

Under the Executive Order, Arizonans shall limit their time away from their place of residence or property, except:

To conduct or participate in essential activities, and/or;
For employment, to volunteer or participate in essential functions; or
To utilize any services or products provided by essential business services;
And for employment if as a sole proprietor or family owned business, work is conducted in a separate office space from your home and the business is not open to serve the public.

On March 23, Governor Ducey issued an Executive Order clarifying businesses and operations deemed “essential” and providing certainty to business owners, employees and families.

Under this order, Arizonans are also encouraged to improve social connectedness by:

Maintaining ongoing connections and communication with current social supports and structures such as family, friends, neighbors and other social groups;
Educating fellow Arizonans on the negative health impacts of social isolation;
And developing habits and activities that increase resilience, such as physical activity, virtual social gatherings, assisting neighbors, implementing or participating in connection campaigns for at risk populations, and participating in volunteer activities.

Under this policy, essential activities include:

Obtaining necessary supplies and services for family, household members and pets, such as groceries, food and supplies for household consumption and use, supplies and equipment needed to work from home, assignments for completion of distance learning and products necessary to maintain safety, sanitation and essential maintenance of the home, residence.
Engaging in activities essential for health and safety, including things such as seeking medical, behavioral health or emergency services and obtaining medical supplies or medication.
Caring for a family member, friend, or pet in another household or residence, which includes but is not limited to transportation for essential health and safety activities and to obtain necessary supplies and services for the other household.
Engaging in outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running, biking or golfing, but only if appropriate physical distancing practices are used.
Attending work in or conducting essential services which includes but is not limited to transporting children to child care services for attending work in an essential service.
Engaging in constitutionally protected activities such as speech and religion, the democratic process to include voting any legal or court process provided that such is conducted in a manner that provides appropriate physical distancing to the extent feasible.

On March 17th, following updated guidance from the CDC, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) issued updated guidance that included canceling or postponing gatherings of 10 or more people, recommending telework and other alternatives, restricting access to nursing homes, retirement homes and long-term care facilities to provide critical assistance, and providing recommendations to restaurants and eating establishments to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

On March 19th, Governor Ducey required restaurants in Arizona counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases to provide dine-out options only and required all bars, gyms and movie theaters in those counties to close. That same day, Governor Duey halted all elective surgeries in the state of Arizona to free up medical resources and maintain the capacity for hospitals and providers to continue offering vital services.

View a full list of actions HERE.