Arizona Governor Says Cities May Mandate Masks to Curb Virus (1)

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey changed course on Wednesday and gave cities and counties the power to require that people wear masks to slow the spread of the coronavirus as cases surge in the state.

Ducey’s executive order came after leaders across Arizona pleaded in recent days for more authority to address the lax social distancing they have noted since the end of the state’s stay-at-home order on May 15. Ducey’s previous executive orders limited local governments from imposing coronavirus policies more restrictive than state directives.

Ducey (R), who has rebuffed calls for a statewide mask mandate, said the state’s rising ...