Arkansas governor allowing cities to enact mask mandates

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Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson was joined by members of his cabinet to update citizens on the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic on Friday. Click below to listen to the entire address:

Arkansas governor allowing cities to enact mask mandates

LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas’ governor on Friday allowed cities to enact measures requiring masks in public to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, relenting after opposing such mandates at the state or local level.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed an executive order that would allow cities to enact a “model ordinance” requiring masks. The order does not require masks statewide and the local ordinance would not include penalties for not complying.

Hutchinson, a Republican, has opposed a statewide mask mandate and has previously said cities can’t impose their own restrictions. At least two Arkansas cities, however, have enacted their own mask requirements.

Hutchinson announced the order as health officials said at least 22,622 people tested positive for the virus, an increase of 547 cases since Thursday. The Health Department said 6,177 of those cases are active, meaning they don’t include people who have died or recovered.

The true number of cases in Arkansas is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.

Two more people in the state have died from COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, bringing the state’s total fatalities to 281. The number of people hospitalized rose by 13 to 285.

Governor Hutchinson Announces Cities May Implement Mandatory Mask Ordinance
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson announced cities across the state may implement an ordinance requring mandatory face coverings to help curb the spread of COVID-19 by signing Executive Order 20-41 on Friday.
“This provides a local option for cities to give them more flexibility if they have a community in which they might have a surge in cases. This model ordinance, from the Municipal League, provides a consistency in approach across the state,” Governor Hutchinson said.
Chairman of the Economic Recovery Task Force Steuart Walton added, “Governor Hutchinson’s balanced approach of giving cities the option to enact mask ordinances where most needed helps us protect the health of Arkansans and ensure the economy can continue to recover.”
This executive order allows for:
  • Local law enforcement and other city officials to enforce the use of face coverings upon the business’ premises in accordance with public health guidelines.
  • Local law enforcement and other city officials to act in a support capacity, through enforcement, to educate and encourage members of the public who decline to wear a face covering about the efficacy of wearing such coverings.
  • Local law enforcement and other city officials to assist in enforcement through education of individuals who decline to comply with the face covering requirement of any local business that the individual must abide by the local business’ mandate or leave the premises.
Municipal League General Counsel John Wilkerson said, “Consistency is incredibly important and that is why this model ordinance says that the city is going to require the usage of masks in accordance with the guidelines of the Department of Health.”