Arizona orders bars and gyms to close for at least 30 days

Arizona bars and gyms will be closed again for at least 30 days amid a spike in coronavirus cases in the state, Gov. Doug Ducey (R) announced Monday. 

Ducey ordered the monthlong pause, which also affects movie theaters, waterparks and tubing rentals, to go into effect at 8 p.m. on Monday.

The governor is also prohibiting gatherings of more than 50 people, effectively halting large events ahead of July 4. 

The first day of school for in-person learning will also be delayed until Aug. 17, according to the governor’s announcement. 

Arizona health officials reported 3,858 more confirmed coronavirus cases on Sunday, marking the most reported in a single day in the state and the seventh time in the last 10 days that daily cases surpassed 3,000, according to The Associated Press. 

Several states have taken steps to halt or reverse their reopening plans amid new COVID-19 spikes, particularly in the South and the West. 

Last week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued a similar order shutting down bars and reining in the capacity allowed at restaurants, saying he regrets moving forward so soon with the state’s reopening.