Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson was joined by members of his cabinet to update citizens on the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday. Click below to listen to the entire address:
Arkansas to allow gyms, fitness centers to reopen next week
LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas gyms and fitness centers can reopen next week, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Thursday as he continued rolling back restrictions issued because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Hutchinson said the gyms can reopen on Monday, but with new stipulations that include screening of staff and patrons and requiring 12 feet between people working out.
The announcement comes a day after Hutchinson said restaurants could reopen their dining rooms May 11, but only at one-third their capacity. The Republican governor plans to announce Friday whether he will allow hair salons and barber shops to reopen.
Arkansas is among a handful of states where governors did not issue broad stay-at-home orders seen in most of the U.S. during the pandemic, but Hutchinson has imposed other restrictions. In recent days Hutchison rolled back eased his ban on elective surgeries and camping at state parks.
At least 3,255 people in Arkansas have tested positive for the virus as of Thursday, an increase over the 3,207 reported Wednesday, health officials said. 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 59 to 61.