The director of the Arizona Department of Corrections has changed a policy for employees, allowing them to wear masks to work in an attempt to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in state prisons.

Previously, Department of Corrections employees said they were not allowed to wear masks because the administrators told them it would scare the inmates and create a panic.

After an outcry from correctional officers, inmates and their families, Department of Corrections announced it had changed its policy on Friday.

In a statement, a department spokesperson said they are recommending employees "wear a non-medical (non-PPE) cloth face covering to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 while conducting essential business."

The Department of Corrections said there are still no known cases of the coronavirus in state prisons. Nearly 40 inmates have been tested and five test results are pending.

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