PHOENIX — Saying he won’t give the keys to the state “to a small group of mayors who have expressed every intention of locking down their cities,” Gov. Doug Ducey said there are no plans to do a statewide lockdown despite Arizona experiencing the greatest number of new COVID-19 cases in the world.
Ducey made his remarks during his state of the state address Monday.
“Look at the experience of the other state that did lockdown. What do they have to show for their strict mandates and orders? They’re still dealing with the worst of it, just as we are,” Ducey said.
He acknowledged criticism from both sides — those who want a lockdown and those who want no restrictions — but he said he would continue the state’s current approach to dealing with the pandemic, which he called “the measured, steady, responsible approach,” and the new focus is on vaccine distribution.
To that end, he announced a permanent vaccination site at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Priority for the vaccine will be given to protective service workers, teachers and K-12 school staff, child care workers, and those 75 and older.
He did not detail any similar distribution plans for those living outside Maricopa County.
