Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson was joined by members of his cabinet to update citizens on the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic on Monday.
Click below to listen to the entire address:
Arkansas sees 699 new virus cases as mandate takes effect
Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson said hospitalizations remained at a troubling level, and he authorized the use of 10 National Guard members to support a hospital in northwest Arkansas.
Six more deaths were reported for a total of 363 since the pandemic began.
In south Arkansas, the El Dorado Police Department said Sunday that its officers would not wear masks while on duty, and the officers wouldn’t enforce the mask mandate either, the El Dorado-News Times reported.
“A mask can significantly inhibit communication both verbal and non-verbal,” Police Chief Kenny Hickman said in a statement. “That is a compromise we cannot afford to include as a general practice. Our officers will observe ‘social distancing’ whenever possible.”
Violators face a fine of up to $500 but can’t be arrested or detained under Hutchinson’s order. First-time offenders and people under 18 receive only verbal or written warnings under the order.