PIMA COUNTY, Arizona -- Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry announced this week that he is creating a Pima County Back To Business (PCB2B) Task Force to craft the framework for the resumption of some business operations as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic lessen in the County.
"The purpose of the Task Force will be to establish a framework of hygiene and physical distancing standards that need to be developed to begin to reopen, in a limited, phased manner, the commercial and business activities that may have been suspended or substantially interrupted during this time," Huckelberry wrote in a memorandum to the Board of Supervisors Wednesday afternoon.
PCB2B will include one appointed member of the County's Small Business Commission from each Supervisor District, and representatives from restaurants, hotels and resorts, chambers of commerce, gyms, daycares, personal hygiene services, area attractions, film and live performance theaters, and event centers. Representatives of other industries may be added as needed or requested.
The County's Health Department and other public health officials also will participate in the Task Force to provide expert guidance on establishing reopening criteria and operational standards to keep employees and the public safe.
Pima County has already developed an initial set of criteria, based on CDC and White House recommendations, that must be met for the beginning of reopening to occur. This includes criteria such as decreasing positive COVID-19 cases over 14 days, testing for all symptomatic patients and timely contact tracing within 24 hours of a positive test result.
The task force will be responsible for monitoring the county’s progress and making recommendations on the establishment of additional phases for reopening.
Among the topics the Task Force will review are:
- Criteria for reopening in phases as the health situation improves;
- Expediting changes in government regulations, training and permitting processes to reflect the phased-opening circumstances;
- And guidance for employers to ensure their employees are safe and healthy as they return to the workplace.
Huckelberry wrote that he will be establishing the PCB2B Task Force by the end of this week and it will begin meeting as soon as possible.