As local businesses are forced to make cutbacks because of the Coronavirus, the Tusayan Town Council is setting aside up to $25,000 to provide assistance to workers who have been laid off or have seen their hours cut because of the Coronavirus. The Fire District and a local food bank will work with the town to provide which will likely include personal care items as well as food.

The council also voted to establish Town Hall as a “point of dispensing’ for the Coconino County Health Department should the need arise to establish a local command post for testing or treatment.

Vice Mayor Brady Harris urged councilmembers to move swiftly saying, “We don’t have the luxury of indecision.”

Tourism has suffered greatly because of the Coronavirus with Xanterra and the Yavapai Lodge both announcing temporary closures.

Best Western Squires General Manager David Chavez told the Town Council his business is currently down by 50% in terms of volume. He said he is looking at cutting staff hours.

Currently there are no confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Tusayan. The Grand Canyon National Park remains open but with limited services. Hotels in Tusayan remain open and dining establishments are encouraged to follow the CDC rules.

On March 19th Tusayan Mayor Craig Sanderson issued a proclamation that enocourages businesses and residents to follow CDC guidelines on keeping crowd sizes under 50. Because of the health and economic impacts the town is also seeking assistance from the county, state, and the federal government.

Here is the text of the proclmation.

WHEREAS, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") has issued guidelines for the COVID-19 outbreak; and

WHEREAS, throughout the nation and State of Arizona, public health and health care systems have identified precautions and interventions that can mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Craig Sanderson, Mayor of the Town of Tusayan, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State, do hereby proclaim that the Town of Tusayan faces severe impacts to the businesses, incomes of employees, the number of jobs and the economic welfare of the Tusayan community and thus justifies a declaration of emergency; accordingly, pursuant to A.R.S. § 26-311, I do hereby declare:

1. All Tusayan residents and businesses are encouraged to follow the current CDC guidelines and protocols of the Arizona Department of Public Health Services, and to limit large gatherings on their premises and to mitigate the potential for transmission, including using delivery, take-out, drive-through service and use of social distancing; and

2. Due to the severe economic impacts, the Town is requesting assistance from the County of Coconino, the State of Arizona, and the Federal Government of the United States of America.

This declaration and order shall remain in full force and effect until amended or terminated by further order of the Mayor or the Tusayan Town Council.