Ducey hinted at the end of the official state of emergency he declared Wednesday at the start of the pandemic. He told Fox10, a Phoenix television station, that the state is “fully open” and that he is working with the legislature “to wind down some purely executive actions.”

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On Friday, the governor praised the doctors, nurses and other health professionals who have been on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, while announcing the signing of licensing extensions and 16 other bills.

“They were there when we needed them,” Ducey said in a statement. “Whether they’ve just earned a healthcare degree, are returning to work or come from another state, these caregivers and everyday heroes are stepping up.”

Extending the temporary permit means people can keep their jobs and hospitals and other healthcare facilities can keep staff, he said.

Arizona has counted nearly 2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 among its roughly 7.2 million residents since the pandemic began in early 2020. The Department of Health Services on Wednesday reported its lowest daily number of cases since summer 2020, although the number of deaths remains relatively high.

The state has reported 28,883 deaths from COVID-19, including 336 reported on Wednesday. The state releases new case counts and death totals every week.