TUCSON, Ariz. - Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said the city will shut down public gathering spaces Tuesday, declaring a local emergency.

Romero's order will close dine-in areas of restaurants, bars, food courts and close gyms and other venues where groups of people congregate, through the end of the month.

The edict goes into effect at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

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Romero released this statement:

This morning, after consulting with business stakeholders, the City Attorney, and City Manager, I have made the determination that it is in the best interest of maintaining public health to suspend dine-in services in restaurants and food courts, and transition to delivery/pick-up only services. Bars, gyms, and other specific venues stated in the proclamation where groups of people congregate are directed to be closed through the end of the month.”







“My top priority, above all else, is to protect public health. This is a painful decision that I do not take lightly. Several restaurants have already stopped dine-in service and transitioned to all drive through and curb-side pick-up.”







“I want to reiterate that food being served by our restaurants is safe. It is the congregation of individuals in a dine-in setting that is unsafe.”







“At this time, the best thing we can do is come together as a community and take care of each other. We’re all in this together. We will get through this.”



Romero said the closure will apply to dine-in areas only, and not takeout or delivery services.

According to the mayor's office, other changes include:



All service counters and lobbies within city buildings, including Ward offices and City Hall, will be closed through the end of March. The City will be continuing services and operations electronically. For more information, please visit tucsonaz.gov

There will be no interruption in trash, recycling, landfill, or water services.

All evictions on city-owned public housing will be suspended through the end of April.

There will be no water shutoffs through the end of April.

This story originally included a tweet by Mayor Regina Romero that her office said was erroneously released.

