Ariz. Gov. Ducey Seeks Business Input for Economic Recovery

PHOENIX, Arizona, April 15 -- Gov. Doug Ducey, R-Arizona, issued the following news release on April 14:

In letters sent, Governor Doug Ducey asked leaders from Arizona's lodging and business communities to provide their feedback on a plan for economic recovery. The letters seek recommendations to help accelerate a business and economic recovery including incorporating public health guidance into everyday business practices, policy suggestions, regulatory reforms and other executive actions.

"In making decisions about public health, I will continue to lean on Dr. Cara Christ, and follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And as we look to re-energize our economy, I'm looking to you to provide recommendations and expertise on how the state should approach this needed economic recovery," Governor Ducey wrote to the business leaders. "I am confident that everything we have done as a state to combat this virus will provide us the opportunity to safely approach economic recovery in the coming weeks."

Efforts to solicit feedback from business community leaders will be led by Arizona Commerce Authority President and CEO Sandra Watson and Arizona Office of Tourism Director Debbie Johnson.

Arizona's current "Stay home, Stay healthy, Stay connected" order is in place until April 30, 2020. In a series of tweets yesterday, Governor Ducey highlighted the importance of Arizonans' efforts to physically distance and urged continued responsible decision making.

See a PDF of the letter to business leaders here (https://azgovernor.gov/sites/default/files/related-docs/business_community_4.15.2020.pdf).

See a PDF of the letter to tourism and lodging leaders here (https://azgovernor.gov/sites/default/files/related-docs/tourism_and_restaurant_letter_4.15.2020.pdf).

Additionally, Governor Ducey today issued three Executive Orders to:

* Help meet the critical demand for nursing home and long-term care facility staff;

* Further expand telemedicine options for Arizonanson worker's compensation plans;

* And continue to increase the data received by health care providers and share limited data with law enforcement personnel and first responders.

The Executive Order to help meet the critical demand for nursing home and long-term care facility staff allows caregiver trainees to utilize on-the-job training to meet certification programs. Previously, trainees had to complete various training programs, but many of those programs have been suspended due to COVID-19. Under the order, trainees can still earn their certification by completing 62 hours of on-the-job training under a licensed healthcare professional.

The order to expand telemedicine options requires workers' compensation insurance plans regulated by the State to provide coverage for telemedicine services. It will allow all electronic means of delivering telehealth, including telephone and video calls. Additionally, an Enhanced Surveillance order will gather additional information on covid cases in the state, and allow for data-sharing to provide first responders with information that may prevent or lessen the threat of their exposure to COVID-19. The information provided must be maintained as confidential and may only be communicated through secure means.

View the Executive Order for On-The-Job Training for Assisted Living Facility Caregivers here (https://azgovernor.gov/sites/default/files/related-docs/eo_2020-28_on_the_job_training.pdf).

View the Executive Order for Increased Telemedicine Access for Workers' Compensation here (https://azgovernor.gov/sites/default/files/related-docs/eo_2020-29_increased_telemedicine-workers_comp.pdf).

View the Executive Order for Enhanced Surveillance for First Responders here (https://azgovernor.gov/sites/default/files/related-docs/eo_2020-30_enhanced_surveillance.pdf).