Dial 2-1-1 for coronavirus information in Arizona in both English and Spanish

Arizonans can now dial 211 to get basic information about how to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, a free service launched with the Crisis Response Network.

The number normally is a hotline for people who need things such as emergency shelter, access to food or help with utilities and other services, but information on the new coronavirus has been added to help people understand how to prevent spreading the illness, also called COVID-19.

The line will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is reached simply by dialing 211 while in Arizona.

The line responds to calls in English and Spanish and addresses:

How to prepare for and prevent COVID-19 spread.

Testing information for COVID-19.

What populations are at higher risk from the COVID-19.

What to do if an individual gets sick.

COVID-19 and animals.

A list of websites with accurate, reliable and up-to-date information.

“As we continue to combat COVID-19 in Arizona, we want to ensure the public has access to resources needed to stay safe and healthy,” Gov. Doug Ducey said in a press release. "We will continue to work closely with our partners throughout the state to ensure Arizonans can easily reach important information and stay healthy. My sincere thanks to 2-1-1 Arizona, the Crisis Response Network and everyone working to share life-saving information and prevent the spread of this outbreak.”

The new line was launched with $2 million from the Department of Economic Security.

The 211 line used to have live operators on call helping people access whatever assistance they needed during personal emergencies, linking those callers with nonprofit and faith-based groups to help them.

But the hotline became fully automated in late July.

The operators were laid off after Center for Arizona Policy opposition blocked a legislative effort to restore Recession-era cuts to 211 and a significant chunk of the line's supplemental funding disappeared.

Last year, Sen. Heather Carter, R-Cave Creek, sponsored a bill to return $1.5 million in state funding to 211, which would've allowed for 24-hour live-answering capabilities.

But the measure failed after the politically powerful Center for Arizona Policy raised concerns about the line referring callers to abortion clinics.

"Center for Arizona Policy does not object to the 211 system," the center's president Cathi Herrod said in a statement at the time. "We, like most Arizonans however, do not support taxpayer money being used to refer people to abortion providers."

An Arizona Mirror analysis last year found that just three of the more than 950,000 calls to 211 in 2018 were people seeking abortions.

The new COVID-19 hotline is a result of a partnership between 2-1-1 Arizona, the Crisis Response Network, the Governor’s Office, the DES and the Arizona Department of Health Services.

The DHS already has a COVID-19 hotline that includes updates on case counts in Arizona, at 1-844-542-8201.

Crisis Response Network is a non-profit organization that provides a continuum of crisis, referral and data services.

“With calls coming through our 2-1-1 Arizona program, we look forward to fulfilling our company’s mission of inspiring hope in those we serve during these trying times,” Crisis Response Network President and CEO Justin Chase said in a press release.

Reach reporter Ryan Randazzo at ryan.randazzo@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4331. Follow him on Twitter @UtilityReporter.

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