The Associated Press

PHOENIX — Municipal leaders criticized Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey Tuesday over his decision to classify some businesses like golf courses as "essential" during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mayors of five different cities, including Tucson and Flagstaff, sent Republican Gov. Doug Ducey a letter saying his executive order should not have included golf courses and payday lenders in the definition of "essential services" that cannot be shut down in response to the outbreak. They also requested a statewide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures.

Ducey on Monday outlined an expansive list of essential services and that cities and counties are prohibited from shuttering. His action came after mayors took the lead in closing bars and gyms and prohibiting dine-in service at restaurants.

Patrick Ptak, a spokesman for Ducey, sidestepped questions about why golf courses were on the list. "This order is about protecting public health and preserving critical financial lifelines for many communities across our state," he said in an email.

Ducey was initially criticized by Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, for only ordering the closures of schools but seeming to drag his feet on businesses. The governor later adopted his own restrictions on businesses in all counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases.

The mayors of Tucson, Flagstaff, Tolleson, Somerton and Winslow asked for "clear and direct guidance" on the closure of nonessential services and asked for "assurance that no Arizonan loses their home due to the economic hardship imposed by COVID-19."

"We acknowledge that these are painful decisions with severe economic repercussions, but immediate action will save lives," the mayors wrote.

Arizona had 326 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday, according to the state Department of Health Services. That is a jump of nearly 100 from a day earlier.

Of the five deaths, no details were given by health officials about the last three. The other two were already reported to both be men above age 50 with underlying health conditions.

For most people, COVID-19 causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, older adults and people with health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.