Globe Shutting Down Bars, Dine-In Operations
The city of Globe east of Phoenix will shutter its bars and movie theaters and restrict dine-in eating options despite having no confirmed coronavirus cases in Gila County. It’s the first city in the county to do so.
Last week, Gov. Doug Ducey passed an executive order that shut down these types of businesses and gyms only in Arizona counties with a confirmed coronavirus case.
Globe Mayor Al Gameros said he decided to take this proactive step anyways because of the influx of tourists that his city is seeing on the weekends.
“They are utilizing our bars and our restaurants,” he said. “Any other time we’d want it, but at this time we want to really discourage coming and you know bringing the possibility of getting an exposure to the virus.”
Gameros said he’s also seeing more people come to local stores and buy up their supplies.
“My concern is the spread of [coronavirus] and if we get one person that brings that to our community how many does that expose … and we have limited resources. We are a rural community.” he said. “We have a hospital but again they are limited. We would max out our resources immediately.”
Gameros said he passed a proclamation to close Globe’s bars and movie theaters and dine-in operations on Tuesday with support of his City Council and input from community members. He believes most local restaurants, cafes and coffeehouses have already moved to delivery, window services and drive-thru services.
He said Globe’s movie theater closed Monday because no one was coming in on weekdays.
The proclamation takes effect 8 p.m. Thursday.
Gameros said the city’s gyms will stay open at this time because he feels those are being used by residents only.
