LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – Arkansas restaurants can reopen their dining rooms starting May 11, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Wednesday as he began lifting business restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Hutchinson said restaurants, which have been allowed to sell food via carryout, curbside and delivery since March 20, will be limited to 33% occupancy and will face other social distancing restrictions.
Hutchinson also announced a $15 million grant program to help restaurants comply with the restrictions.
The announcement is the first in a series of decisions Hutchinson planned this week on whether some businesses that were shuttered because of the virus can reopen. Arkansas was one of a handful of states that didn’t issue a broad stay-at-home order, but had other restrictions in place. Hutchinson has eased other limits in recent days, including a ban on elective surgeries and overnight camping in state parks.
Arkansas health officials said at least 3,192 people have now tested positive for the virus, an increase over the 3,111 reported Tuesday. The number of infections is likely higher because many people have not been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
The number of deaths in Arkansas from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, has risen from 52 to 59.
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