Arizonans get back to hiking camping tubing

© blackdovfx, Getty Images/iStockphoto Coronavirus

Arizona's number of identified COVID-19 cases has reached 13,937, with 680 confirmed deaths. 

It's Sunday afternoon, and this is Coronavirus Watch from The Arizona Republic, where we update you on the latest we know about how COVID-19 is affecting you and our community. 

Arizona has officially reopened, and some residents took full advantage of it. Hiking trails and camping spots were full. The Salt River was packed with tubers. 

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But in other parts of the Phoenix area, things remained a bit slower. The sidewalks of Old Town Scottsdale and Tempe's Mill Avenue remained relatively empty, although some bars and restaurants were busy.  

© Thomas Hawthorne/The Republic Tubers float down the Salt River during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mesa, Arizona, on May 16, 2020. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey lifted his stay-at-home order Friday, May 15, and the day after Salt River Tubing reopened with some guidelines in place to promote safety during the pandemic.

Here's the latest as of 4 p.m:  

Social distancing tip of the day: For individuals who are concerned about the safety of dining in at restaurants, Valley experts offer six tips to safe safer. 

Interested in more dining stories? Sign up for our weekly dining newsletter and get the inside scoop! 

Silver linings

Many Arizona high schools celebrated their graduates this weekend. Without the option of the usual ceremonies with stadiums packed with cheering families, parents and students have found creative ways to honor the accomplishment.

Mesa Mountain View parents threw a huge car parade for their seniors. 

© Patrick Breen/The Republic Cars celebrating graduating seniors at the Mountain View High School senior parade salute in Mesa, Ariz. on May 16, 2020.

Moment of zen: Attention Star Wars fan, check out this X-Wing tribute put to the Top Gun theme song. 

More questions answered

Many of you have reached out to us with your questions. We've answered some of your specific concerns here, and we've asked experts to answer more queries here. What else would you like to know?

Question: When will my apartment complex pool or gym be opened?

It depends on your landlord. Gov. Doug Ducey allowed pools and gyms to reopen May 13. But each apartment complex owner must decide when and how they proceed.

The governor released guidelines for reopening common areas safely, but no requirements.

The Arizona Multihousing Association recommends that property managers reopen in phases, with clear communication to residents about the rules, which can be eased over time as the risk recedes.

According to the association, complex owners should consider temporary measures for pools such as:

Removing pool furniture to meet social distancing requirements.

Removing water fountains and pool towels to reduce the potential spread of germs.

Providing hand sanitizer and disinfectant to wipe down pool furniture and equipment.

Limiting pool occupancy and prohibiting pool parties and social gatherings.

Serving our readers and community

If you were forwarded this, you can sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch Newsletter here: https://profile.azcentral.com/newsletters/manage/.

Coronavirus Watch is a temporary newsletter, but we have many ongoing newsletters on topics including real estate, dining and entertainment. Check out the list and sign up here.

And please support the work we're doing in our community by subscribing to The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. 

— Alia Beard Rau, local politics and issues editor, The Arizona Republic, alia.rau@arizonarepublic.com. Have questions? Send them my way.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizonans get back to hiking, camping, tubing

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