Face Masks Required in Tucson, Bisbee, and Nogales

NOGALES, ARIZONA, USA – Nogales, Bisbee, and Tucson joined the emergency proclamation order that mandates the use of face masks when in public to stop the spread of Covid-19 throughout Arizona.

On Thursday, the mayor of Tucson Regina Romero and the major of Nogales Arturo Garino announced the local proclamation orders.

Starting on Saturday at six in the morning, residents and visitors of Tucson must use a face mask in public establishments.

The emergency proclamation mandates that people of two years of age and older, use the face cover in public and spaces where distancing is difficult or not possible.

Employees of business establishments are also required to use it.

The measure exempts cases where mental or health conditions might not allow it, as well as where the Center for Disease Control guidelines does not recommend its use.

In dine-in restaurants, medical and dental services, the use of a face mask may be excepted. Additionally, those that practice swimming or exercise outdoors with people who live in the same house.

The mayor announced that the intention is not to sanction but to reinforce the use of the face mask in the face of the high spread of Covid-19. Civil penalties of 50 dollars or five hours of community service are contemplated.

Arturo Garino, mayor of Nogales, agreed that the intention to make the use of face masks mandatory effective immediately is not to sanction but to limit the spread of coronavirus.

He clarified that it is not necessary to wear a face mask when you travel alone by car, when you ride a bicycle or when you walk. But if you are going to an establishment, public place, or coming into contact with more people, it is required to wear a face mask

“We have to find a way to reduce the infection numbers, it is too much, we have 80 people hospitalized in Tucson and 12 deceased,” he said.