What Arizona Gov. Ducey's Self-Quarantine Order Means For Travelers

By Lauren Gilger, Kathy Ritchie
Published: Thursday, April 9, 2020 - 12:51pm
Updated: Thursday, March 18, 2021 - 12:27pm

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Terminal 3 walkway
Christina Estes/KJZZ
Travelers at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Terminal 3 in 2019.

Gov. Doug Ducey wants certain travelers coming into Arizona to self-quarantine for 14 days.

The governor specifically noted anyone flying in from Connecticut, New Jersey or New York when he announced the new measure on April 7. However, the executive order, which went into effect on April 9, applies to anyone from an area identified as having “substantial community spread” of COVID-19. 

Ducey has called on the Arizona Department of Health Services and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to implement the order.

Jessica Rigler of Arizona Department of Health Services says Sky Harbor has posted information about the notice throughout its terminals. As for the airlines, it's up to them to notify passengers.  

"And at this time it appears that Southwest may be the only airline right now who has flights incoming from those destinations into Phoenix," she said. "I believe that Southwest’s plan is to make announcements on the flight"

But what happens if a passenger ignores the order? 

“And so part of the education that's provided to travelers informs them that their failure to comply with the order could subject them to a Class 1 misdemeanor, including the penalties associated with that," Rigler said.

Rigler also said the department is working on acquiring passenger manifests so the agency can follow up if necessary.

The governor’s recent stay-at-home order raised similar questions about compliance, and when he was asked how this latest measure will be enforced, he said, "The fact of the matter, there is teeth, there are teeth to the stay-at-home order. It's a Class 1 misdemeanor. And law enforcement, first and foremost, is going to ask you to disperse if you're gathering in groups larger than 10. And then if you don't, they can cite you.”

Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services had plenty of questions for the governor. The Show spoke to him about what makes the travel order so complex and who is really affected by it.

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