Governor Doug Ducey told reporters on Thursday that the expectation should be that COVID-19 cases are going to rise, but insists Arizona is open.
The governor made time to answer questions during another event on Thursday when he was asked about the COVID-19 front.
“The expectation should be, as good as the news has been for the last 13 weeks, the expectation should be that cases are going to rise. We're having more testing, we're heading into flu season,” Ducey said.
Ducey went on to say that, if we continue to do the mitigation steps by socially distancing and wearing a mask, we should be able to navigate through this.
The governor, who we often see by the President’s side, was asked if he agrees with Donald Trump saying we should not be afraid of COVID.
“I’ve said the entire time that we shouldn’t let our guard down, and we should remain vigilant, and I think we should continue to do that,” said Ducey. “I’ve said I want us to be able to live our lives in the safest and healthiest way.”
The governor making clear, “Arizona is open, Arizona’s economy is open, Arizona’s education institutions are open, and our tourism destinations are open, you should expect them to remain open, we’re not going to make any dramatic changes from a gradual rise in cases.”
This was the first public opportunity to ask Ducey questions, as he has not held a COVID-19 briefing in two weeks.