PHOENIX — Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and other top state officials held a news conference Sunday to addresses a number of major issues happening across the state.
First, Ducey addressed the ongoing protests across the state, with help from Major General Michael McGuire -- director of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs -- and Colonel Heston Silbert -- who heads the state's Department of Public Safety.
Ducey began by commenting on the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, calling it "abhorrent," and "an American tragedy." Ducey said he has been in contact with top law enforcement officials and city leaders across the state.
McGuire continued by noting that 1,400 Arizona National Guard troops had been deployed on protest duty across Arizona, and that more than 800 others are continuing to assist with COVID-19 efforts.
The governor made no indication that he would be modifying his statewide curfew order, which goes into effect at 8 p.m. each night. The executive order is set to expire on Monday, Monday, June 8, at 5 a.m. unless further extended.
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On COVID-19, Gov. Ducey noted the "mostly flat" trends of virus-related hospitalizations in Arizona and the percent of COVID-19 tests that return a positive result. Ducey also thanked Arizona Superintendent Kathy Hoffman for working with his office on a plan to reopen Arizona schools in the fall. On Monday, the Arizona Department of education released their guidelines for reopening schools.
