Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell issued a proclamation Thursday morning calling for the closure of bars and nightclubs and restricting in-person dining effective 8 p.m amid rising coronavirus concerns.

Restaurants can continue to offer delivery service, curbside pick-up and drive-thru options.

Recreational and entertainment venues such as movie theaters, comedy clubs, bowling alleys and arcades also must close to the public.

The order extends to gyms and workout studios, which were ordered to close starting at 1 p.m.

Mitchell, in a video message to residents, said the decision to close businesses was made after consulting with health professionals, business owners, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce and Local First Arizona.

"These closures will work proactively to keep our community safe," he said. "This decision comes with a heavy heart for those affected in our community but I know this is the right decision because safety and stemming the spread of the coronavirus is our number one priority."

He encouraged residents to continue supporting businesses by using takeout and carryout options. The city also is encouraging residents to shop online or buy gift cards to their favorite stores and restaurants.

The move to shutter businesses comes a day after the Tempe City Council unanimously approved an emergency ordinance declaring a local emergency.

The measure allows Mitchell to “rule by proclamation,” meaning he can enforce restaurant closures, impose curfews or declare citywide quarantines.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego declared an emergency on Tuesday, forcing the closure of bars and moving restaurants to takeout, deliver and drive-thru only. The declaration must be ratified by a majority of the Phoenix City Council and after four hours in executive session Wednesday, the council decided to stop and continue the discussion at a special meeting Friday. The bar and restaurant rules will remain intact until then.

Cave Creek, Tolleson, Tucson and Flagstaff made a similar move this week.

Across the Valley, from Gilbert to Buckeye, cities have declared local states of emergencies but have not shut down businesses.

Gov. Doug Ducey on Thursday announced he would limit restaurant service and close bars, theaters and gyms in counties with confirmed cases of COVID-19, despite earlier comments that he didn't plan to issue a blanket order to shut down businesses. The directive will go into effect after close of business Friday.

Some call on Tempe to keep businesses open

Wednesday’s Tempe meeting was the city’s first meeting held remotely after the city closed its council chambers and restricted in-person attendance last week. The meeting was streamed online and televised on Tempe 11. Residents could weigh in by email.

Mitchell and Councilwoman Jennifer Adams were the only council members who attended in person, joining a few city employees in the room.

The city received nearly 40 emails from residents prior to the meeting, many voicing concerns about the economic impact that closing restaurants and bars would have on businesses and workers.

Adams and Councilwoman Robin Arredondo-Savage said they supported the emergency measure, but they want to ensure the city takes steps to protect businesses and mitigate job loss.

The two council members asked that the city set up funds to help businesses and also help businesses tap into state and federal funds.

Tempe staff and business groups are discussing how to help local businesses, Mitchell said.

Mitchell said while he understood the public’s concerns, residents’ health was the city’s priority.

He said the city was not forcing residents to quarantine themselves but urged them to follow health guidelines put out by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the CDC, which recommend canceling or postponing events with more than 10 people, working from home and social distancing.

Vice Mayor Lauren Kuby said businesses would not heed those recommendations if the city did not force closures.

Keeping businesses open puts employees and residents at risk, she said.

Ducey, during a tour of the state's emergency response center on Wednesday, had addressed restaurants and bars that remain open despite the advice that all social gatherings be limited to 10 or fewer people.

“There will always be bad actors in any situation,” Ducey said, though he added that restaurants can stay open if they take precautions like limiting seating to every other table to keep people separated.

That changed Thursday when he ordered restaurants, bars and other businesses in six counties with presumptive or confirmed cases of the virus to close to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

“These latest actions are based on the facts and on data, and come after careful consultation with public health experts from every county in Arizona, our hospitals, local elected officials, and private sector partners," Ducey said in a statement.

Republic reporter Ryan Randazzo contributed to this article.

Reach reporter Paulina Pineda at paulina.pineda@azcentral.com or 602-444-8130. Follow her on Twitter: @paulinapineda22.

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