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City manager Michael Ortega claims Tucson has an obligation to keep employees safe and can force them to get vaccinated or get regular tests. The ordinance exempts certain employees with illnesses and sincere religious beliefs from the mandate.
Meanwhile, at least 18 school districts defy state laws and impose mask requirements indoors. The Scottsdale Unified School District and Paradise Valley Schools are among several that decided this week to temporarily enforce the wearing of masks. Some offer opt-out options.
Several districts changed their minds after a judge ruled Monday that a new budget law banning mask mandates would not stop until Jan.
Governor Doug Ducey was outraged Tuesday when he increased pressure on these school districts by setting up a grant program that benefits schools that do not have mask requirements or are closed due to COVID-19 outbreaks. The $ 163 million program would offer an additional $ 1,800 per student.
The state health ministry reported 2,402 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 37 more deaths on Wednesday.
This brings the pandemic in Arizona to 972,925 cases and 18,504 deaths.
Hospital admissions for the virus continue to rise and stood at 1,759 as of Tuesday. The last time it was this high in mid-February.
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/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/XGU6SM7T4ND6XMX5IQROUZBVFY.jpg "Tucson Veterans Day Parade canceled due to downtown construction")
