COVID-19 is thought to mainly spread by droplets, such as when an infected person coughs or sneezes near you similar to how flu and other respiratory infections spread. 

COVID -19 metrics continue to move in the wrong direction in Arizona. Mitigation is so important. The science is clear on the steps that can be taken to prevent transmission.

These simple actions will lessen your chances of catching COVID-19 and spreading it to others: 

• Wear a cloth mask.
• Practice social distancing by staying 6ft away from others who are not in your household bubble.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. CDC’s tips for cleaning and disinfecting 

How can I help the community during this time? (Updated 12/22/20 at 3:45 PM)

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed. Stay at home, as much as possible, except for essential needs. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet). This occurs through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The following guidelines are still in effect:

• Practice the suggested hygiene guidelines
• Work from home if possible
• Avoid gatherings of 10 or more people
• Practice social distancing (try to keep at least a 6ft distance from others)
• Avoid discretionary travel 
• Use drive-thru, pick-up, or delivery options where available
• Delegate 1 (one) member of your household to do the shopping

Masks prevent you from spreading respiratory droplets and, recent data shows that wearing a mask can protect you from getting the virus by way of others as well. Because masks are new to many of us, here are tips on how and when to wear a mask:

• Wear the mask in public, regardless of whether you feel sick or not. This way you’re protecting yourself, your family, and others in the event you are infected and don’t have any symptoms.
• Wear the mask snugly (but comfortably) over your nose and mouth. Don’t let the mask sit under your nose. If it gapes open, it’s not doing its job. If it hurts your ears, try one that ties behind your head instead of looping over your ears.
• Wear the mask without touching it. Keep it on, over your mouth and nose, when speaking with others or when on the phone. Try not to adjust your mask too much, and refrain from pulling on or touching the front of your mask. Avoid reaching under your mask for an itch. If you need to remove or readjust your mask, do it by touching the ear loops or ties. Always wash or sanitize your hands after touching your mask.
• Wear the mask if you’re old enough to take it on and off yourself. The CDC recommends not placing these on children under 2 years old.
• Wear the mask in public until you need to eat or drink, then make sure to keep it clean and uncontaminated. If you need to eat or drink in public, make sure you are more than 6 feet from others and then remove the mask and place it in a clean bag, container, or on a designated surface (like a new piece of paper on the far side of your desk). Make sure you wash or sanitize your hands before eating. After putting your mask on again, make sure you wash or sanitize your hands.
• Wash your mask after each day’s use and store it in a clean bag or container.

We all have a role in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a mask is one thing you can do to keep your family, co-workers, and community safe, along with yourself.

1. No Fly Zone AZ   March 13, 2021, Gila Bend Airport 1500 N. Hwy 85, Gila Bend, AZ  Mitigation Plan

As of 12/31, Arizona State Governor Doug Ducey's Office released Executive Order 61, which involves directives and deferments for Arizona driver license renewals for residents in order to protect vulnerable citizens:

1.    The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) shall defer requirements to renew Class D and Class M Arizona driver licenses that have an expiration date between March 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021, by one year from the expiration date printed on the original driver license card.

2.    ADOT shall continue to defer requirements to renew Arizona driver licenses and driving permits, other than Class D and Class M licenses, that have an expiration date between March 1, 2020, and September 1, 2020, by 6 months from the expiration date.

3.    ADOT shall defer requirements to submit a medical clearance card for the purposes of a commercial driver's license through February 28, 2021.

4.    ADOT shall reflect the deferred renewal requirement in the Department's driver license database and allow drivers to request a duplicate driver license card at AZMVDNow.gov that reflects the deferred driver license expiration date.

5.    All Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST) certified law enforcement officers as well as State government agencies, county and municipal governments, and election officials shall accept Arizona driver license cards with expiration dates between March 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021 as valid identification for any purposes for which unexpired driver license cards would otherwise be accepted, consistent with this order and Arizona state statutes.

6.    This order does not confer legal residency in Arizona nor prohibit its revocation.

7.    This order does not prohibit the suspension or revocation of driver licenses for violation of Arizona state statutes for reasons other than those related to license renewal nor extend expiration dates for driver licenses subject to A.R.S. § 13-3821.

As of 12/2/20, Arizona State Governor Doug Ducey's Office released Executive Order 59, which provides further mitigation requirements for events, effective December 3rd, 2020: paragraph I of Executive Order 2020-43 and any extension under Executive Order 2020-52, is amended as follows:

Organized public events of more than 50 people are prohibited unless the city, town, or county in unincorporated areas has determined that adequate safety precautions which are consistent with the guidance issued by both the CDC and ADHS for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 are documented as part of the request. Prior to approval by the city, town, or county the organizer shall commit to implementation and enforcement by event organizers. Additionally, if the event is approved, the city, town, or county shall dedicate reasonably adequate resources to enforcing mitigation measures that the organizer has agreed to implement during the organized public event and any public health requirements currently applicable in the jurisdiction. A city, town, or county in unincorporated areas may deny a request for an organized public event due to public health concerns related to COVID-19. Any approval may be subject to certain conditions or restrictions not inconsistent with this or any other executive order. Nothing in this order shall inhibit a person from engaging in constitutionally protected activities such as speech and religion, and any legal or court process provided that such is conducted in a manner that provides appropriate physical distancing to the extent feasible. The rest of EO 43 remains in effect. 

Paragraph 2 of Executive Order 2020-43 and any extension under Executive Order 2020-52, is amended as follows:

If a city, town, or county in an unincorporated area has approved an organized public event for more than 50 people pursuant to this order, the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC) may issue a series 15, Special Event License or series 16, Festival/Fair License for the event. If the event has not been approved, the DLLC shall not issue the license. If the event does not require the approval of the local jurisdiction due to size or nature of the event, DLLC shall require an applicant for a series 15, Special Event License or series 16, Festival/Fair License to submit an attestation acknowledging that public health requirements issued by ADHS will be followed by attendees and enforced by event organizers prior to issuing the license. 

In addition to penalties and enforcement provided by A.R.S. §§ 26-316 and 26-317, failure to comply with this order and any other guidance issued by ADHS related to precautions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 shall constitute a public nuisance dangerous to the public health pursuant to A.R.S. § 36-60l(A) and action is authorized and shall be taken to abate the nuisance by the county health inspectors pursuant to A.R.S. § 36-183.06 or other law enforcement or state agencies as mandated by the Director of ADHS, including the immediate closure of such facility, pursuant to A.R.S. §

As of 12/2/20, Arizona State Governor Doug Ducey's Office released Executive Order 58, which ensures the availability of the COVID Vaccine WITHOUT financial barriers. It states that ADHS, in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions, shall require that all insurers regulated by the State waive all cost-sharing requirements for consumers related to the administration of all COVD-19 vaccinations and without regard to whether the provider is in-network.

As of 9/1/20, Arizona State Governor Doug Ducey's Office released Executive Order 52, which reinstates Executive Order 43, and will be reviewed every 2 weeks as needed. EO 43 limits the size of public events to 50 persons or less, limits the operation of certain businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19, and the notice of review will be made available at www.azgovernor.gov

As of 6/29/20, Arizona State Governor Doug Ducey’s Office has released a series of Executive Orders due to the surge of cases and hospitalizations of COVID-19. You Are Safer At Home is the new message from the Governor as he hits pause on Arizona’s re-opening during the pandemic. Governor Doug Ducey signed an Executive Order (EO 43) to prohibit large gatherings, cease the issuance of new special event licenses and pause the operations of bars, gyms, movie theaters, waterparks and tubing rentals. The pause of these business operations takes effect at 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 29 and is in effect for one month. Unless extended, the pause remains in effect until July 27, 2020, after which businesses seeking to resume operations must demonstrate compliance with public health guidance as determined by the Arizona Department of Health Services. Even if appropriate physical distancing is possible, organized events of more than 50 people are prohibited. The Executive Order enables local governing jurisdictions, such as the city, town, or county, to approve events on the condition of meeting certain safety precautions, such as physical distancing. 

Governor Ducey also signed an Executive Order (EO 44) delaying the first day of school for in-person learning until August 17, 2020. Schools will be able to conduct distance learning should they choose before then.  

As of 6/17/2020, Arizona State Governor Doug Ducey’s Office has released a new Executive Order (EO 40) Containing the Spread of COVID-19 and Continued Mitigation Efforts enhances actions in place and includes the following:

• Continuing to boost diagnostic testing, including expanding rapid testing capability;
• Amplifying contact tracing in partnership with counties, including utilizing National Guard assets and providing additional resources to counties;
• Increasing awareness of distancing and face-covering guidelines, including authorizing local governments to implement enhanced mitigation measures;
• Continuing to focus on long-term care settings, including providing $10 million for additional PPE and face masks;
• And enhancing guidance for establishments to limit congregating and enforce mitigation policies.

"Following outbreaks in select parts of the state, including along the southern border and in northeastern counties, ADHS released updated guidance allowing local governments to implement mask and face-covering policies and determine enforcement measures. The guidance allows local authorities to tailor mitigation efforts specific to the local public health need." 

Businesses will now be required to implement ADHS safety guidelines for mitigating the spread of COVID-19, which include the following:

• Physically distancing of 6 feet;
• Providing employees with face-coverings and requiring usage;
• Conducting symptom checks for all employees before shifts; 
• Requiring sick employees to stay home;
• And increasing the frequency of employee hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting. 
• Local law enforcement will have authority for enforcement of these guidelines. Please read the full Executive Order here.

As of 5/12/2020, Arizona State Governor Doug Ducey’s Office has released a new Executive Order (EO 36) that amends the previous Stay at Home order effectively ending May 15th, and replaces that EO(33) with new guidance focused on economic recovery, named Stay Healthy, Return Smarter, Return Stronger (EO 36). Executive Order 36 institutes a policy that promotes physical distancing while encouraging social connectedness and allows businesses to gradually and safely open in compliance with federal guidelines as the state continues to mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID-19. This builds on actions the state has already taken, and further memorializes some already in effect, to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect our citizens. EO 36 also expires/rescinds EOs 24 and 33. There is no longer any travel ban into or out of Arizona.

The policy also asks that vulnerable persons continue to take reasonable steps to protect themselves from being exposed to COVID-19. Please read the full Executive Order here.

As of 4/29/2020, Arizona State Governor Doug Ducey’s Office has released a new Executive Order that amends the previous Stay at Home order effectively pushing the Stay at Home till May 15th. This is part of the Governor’s plan for Arizona to Return Stronger. During these next 15 days, certain retail businesses will begin to reopen according to the Governor’s plan. You can read the entire EO 33 here. (RESCINDED)

As of 4/7/2020, Arizona State Governor Doug Ducey’s Office released five (5) new Executive Orders covering mandated stricter protocols to protect our vulnerable populations living in group homes and nursing facilities (EO 22); allowing restaurants to sell grocery items and packaged foods, meat, and vegetables (EO 25); giving state and local health authorities access to confidential patient information as it pertains to COVID-19 patients, and medical records (EO 23); as well as requiring reporting by hospitals of COVID-19 related patient data and supply numbers; required self-quarantine for travelers coming from areas with substantial community spread of COVID-19 (EO 24)RESCINDED; and more protection of businesses financially affected from COVID-19 that suspends evictions from commercially rented spaces (EO 21).

As of 4/3/2020, Arizona State Governor Doug Ducey’s Office released additional information further defining essential services and recreational activities. Per the statement, effective Saturday, April 4 at 5 pm., “amenities at public parks that do not allow for recommended physical distancing or proper hygiene,” will cease operations. The Town of Gila Bend has already complied by closing its basketball courts along with playgrounds and ramadas.

The following businesses will be mandated to close as of 5pm on April 4th, 2020:

Barbers 

Cosmetology, Hairstyling, Nail Salons, and Aesthetic Salons 

Tanning salons

Tattoo parlors

Spas

Massage parlors

Click here(link: https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2020/04/additional-guidance-essential-services) to view the full statement from the Governor’s Office. 

As of 3/31/20, the Town of Gila Bend Town Council, during a Special Meeting to discuss their response to COVID-19, took action to reiterate the Town Curfew for 17 years old and under. The curfew is the following:

Sun. - Thurs. 10:00 PM until 6:00 AM  and  Fri. - Sat. 11:00 PM until 6:00 AM

Business Resources

Small Business Administration Emergency Loans

Help for Small Businesses through the Small Business Administration (SBA) - Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program: 

This program provides up to $2 million in loans to support small businesses that suffer economic injury from disasters. It is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). On March 16, Governor Ducey requested the SBA issue a disaster declaration for Arizona’s small businesses affected by COVID-19. After the Governor’s Declaration Request is approved business owners should apply online in the Disaster Loan Application Portal at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. The electronic loan application will be screened by the Disaster Processing Center when it is received.

Below are the requirements so business owners can prepare.

1) Loan application (SBA Form 5), completed and signed (this is electronic/online in the portal)

2) Tax Information Authorization (IRS Form 4506-T), completed and signed by each applicant, each principal owning 20 percent or more of the applicant business, each general partner or managing member; and, for any owner who has more than 50 percent ownership in an affiliate business. Affiliates include, but are not limited to, business partners, subsidiaries, and/or other businesses with common ownership or management.

3) Complete copies, including all schedules, of the most recently filed Federal income tax returns for the applicant business; an explanation if not available.

4) Personal Financial Statement (SBA Form 413) completed, signed, and dated by the applicant, each principal owning 20 percent or more of the applicant business, and each general partner or managing member.

5) Schedule of Liabilities listing all fixed debts (SBA Form 2202 may be used)

All of these forms are available in the Disaster Loan Application Portal. 

EVICTIONS:
Arizona State Executive Order 21: Prohibiting Small Business Eviction

Although many commercial landlords have already taken action to delay or defer rents, without action, public and private entities that provide essential functions such as healthcare, food, and medicine are at risk of being locked out and their operations interrupted; and without action, the economic impact of COVID-19 will have a greater impact for a longer period of time. 

Unless a court determines otherwise, a commercial eviction action including lockout, notice to vacate, or, any other attempt to inhibit the operations of a business shall be temporarily suspended.

Commercial landlords shall consider deferring or adjusting rent payments for commercial tenants that are unable to pay rent due to financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commercial landlords are encouraged to work with tenants to waive late fees, penalties, and interest associated with late rent payments and develop rent repayment plans for those tenants unable to pay rent due to financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commercial tenants need to notify their landlords if they are experiencing difficulties due to COVID-19. If the commercial tenant is receiving financial assistance from public programs designed to assist businesses suffering financial hardships, must apply a portion of that assistance to any past or due rents. Read the entire Executive Order 21 here.

Employer Workforce Assistance:

AZ Dept of Economic Security (AZDES) Shared Work Program - Employers experiencing a slowdown in their businesses or services as a result of the coronavirus impact on the economy may apply for the UI Shared Work Program. This program gives employers an alternative to layoffs and allows the retention of trained employees by reducing their hours and wages that can be partially offset with UI benefits. Visit Arizona Shared Work Program to learn more.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act - Employer Paid Leave Requirements

Requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020. Read more at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employer-paid-leave 

Small Business Exemption to the FFCRA Paid Leave Law - check to see if your small business qualifies for an exemption here dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions#58

Families First Coronavirus Response Act - Employee Paid Leave Rights 

Requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020. Read more at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employee-paid-leave

Resilient Arizona Crisis Counseling -  provide 100% free and confidential support and connections to resources for Arizona residents impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Crisis counseling seeks to prevent the onset of diagnosable disorders by helping individuals understand they are experiencing common reactions to extraordinary occurrences. If you are dealing with feelings of anxiety, stress, loneliness, or fear due to the pandemic, or if you are dealing with the loss of a loved one or find yourself in a caretaker role for someone diagnosed with COVID-19, or struggling with a loved one who has been hospitalized and just need to talk, dial 2-1-1, and get connected to a counselor! For more information about this FREE program, visit https://resilientarizona.org/

Arizona Unemployment Insurance Benefits - Unemployment insurance benefits may be available to individuals who are involuntarily unemployed as a result of COVID-19. The amount of the benefit will vary based upon the amount of money that the individual has previously earned but will be between $187 and $240 per week. You can learn more at www.AZUI.gov or by watching this video(link is external). To file for unemployment insurance benefits, visit www.azui.gov, and click on the button titled “Apply for UI Benefits".

Arizona Area Agency on Aging - will help Seniors who are unable to access groceries, please call 602-264-4357  or click to visit  https://www.aaaphx.org/program-services/24-hour-senior-help-line/ 

Brown Bag Program - the Town of Gila Bend provides free food distribution for residents in need each Thursday. Please call their Senior Services Coordinator, Erika Amezcua at 928-683-2244 for details about this program. 

Short-term Crisis Services - provides temporary assistance to low-income families experiencing an emergency need that cannot be met immediately by their own income, and resources to help stabilize an immediate financial crisis. A dependent child must live in the home. This program may be able to help with 

• Preventing homelessness by helping with rent or mortgage payments
• Emergency shelter
• Utility payments and utility deposit assistance
• Special needs related to maintaining or securing employment
• Rental deposits

For questions, you may call the Town of Gila Bend Family Resource Center (GBFRC) at 928-683-6502 or visit https://des.az.gov/services/basic-needs/shelter-housing/short-term-crisis-services to learn more.

Healthcare/Medical Assistance
Effective April 2, 2020, an Executive Order issued by Arizona Governor Ducey, mandates that the Board of Pharmacy will allow the following:

• Allow pharmacists to dispense emergency refills of maintenance medications for a 90-day supply and an additional 90-day supply if needed; 
• Waive certain electronic prescribing requirements;
• Extend the requirement for a prescriber to deliver a follow-up paper prescription to the pharmacy from seven days to 15 days;
• Allow a phone-in prescription to be sent to the pharmacy via fax, scan, or photo as long as the original, hard copy prescription is kept by the prescriber; 
• Waive certain hospital prescribing labeling restrictions for multidose medications;
• Allow pharmacists to interchange therapeutically equivalent medications of the same FDA drug classification unless the prescriber has noted that the medication shall be dispensed as written;
• Waive the requirement for companies producing hand sanitizer to be permitted;
• And allow an Arizona pharmacy to receive pharmaceuticals from an unpermitted wholesaler, third-party logistics provider, or manufacturer located in another state or country to alleviate pharmaceutical shortages.

The Order also requires healthcare insurance providers to expand all telemedicine coverage for all services that would normally be covered for an in-person visit. View the Executive Order here.

Housing Assistance:
HUD FHA Foreclosures and Tenant Eviction Action - because Americans have been asked to remain at home, individuals and families have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, therefore the Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued a 60-day moratorium on foreclosures of FHA funded loans, and evictions for Section 184 and 184A guaranteed loans. Read the full letter here.

Executive Order for the Postponement of Evictions - those who must self-isolate or are unable to work may experience a decrease in income and thus may be unable to pay for regular living expenses, and so to further protect the public health, the Governor of Arizona is temporarily suspending all enforcement of evictions to avoid the serious risk of these Arizonans losing their rentals. Specific circumstances must be applicable for an eviction to be suspended. To see if you fall under these specific circumstances, please read Page 2 of the Executive Order here.

Utility Assistance:

APS Electric - As of March 18th, APS has set up a support fund to assist customers with their bills. APS is also offering several other forms of support, please visit aps.com/support to learn more. 

Southwest Gas - For customers experiencing financial hardship, we are here to help with flexible payment options. Call to speak with a Customer Service Rep at 877-860-6020 or visit https://www.swgas.com/en/contact-us

Gila Bend Water - As of March 24, 2020, Town Council has elected to suspend shut-offs to past-due accounts. You should continue to pay your bill or request a re-payment option to keep you from falling behind. For assistance, please call 928-683-2255. More information to come.

Waste Management - Service Guidelines and Waste Reduction information

This is a handout outlining best practices for household waste removal to be practiced so that we maintain a healthy, clean, and safe environment for everyone. Download the PDF