PHOENIX — Gov. Doug Ducey's stay home order is in effect until April 30. So will the state reopen on May 1?
“There is a light at the end of this tunnel and we’re heading towards it," said Ducey in a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
Many Arizonans in a Facebook group Great 48, which has more than 5,000 members, are calling for a May 1 reopening.
“It’s too early right now for me to say that there’s something magical about May 1st. Of course I’m hopeful. I want to be aspirational on this," Ducey said.
Businesses are surely hopeful too. New numbers show the catastrophic toll the coronavirus outbreak has taken on Arizona's economy.
State tourism officials say in about one month, the state lost more than a billion dollars in visitor spending and $35 million in state tax revenue.
“While the statistics paint a gloomy picture, we know when Arizonans work together, we can overcome some of our greatest challenges," said Arizona Office of Tourism Director Debbie Johnson.
On Tuesday, when asked if he is planning on reopening Arizona's economy in early May, Ducey said he will continue to consult with the state's top health official, Dr. Cara Christ, and the CDC.
He said the April 30 end date for his stay-at-home order can be extended but made it clear, the decision on when Arizona reopens is a decision only he will make.
“There’s just no way that we continue like this forever," Ducey said.
Ducey said he is reaching out to lodging and business communities asking them to provide feedback on how they recommend Arizona recovers from this economic crisis.
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