Three announcements today from the Arkansas Governor. Scroll to the end of this article to see the entire video.
In a news conference on Friday, Governor Asa Hutchinson issued an executive order to extend the public health emergency to March 31st, 2021. The current order is due to expire on February 27th. Hutchinson stated that the order allows Medicaid reimbursement for telehealth, business liability protection, remote learning, and more.
Noting current case rate and various groups having been vaccinated, Hutchinson stated “There’s much more to do, but we’re on the right path.” He said, “hospitalizations are down, the positivity right is below 10%, vaccinations are increasing, and compliance with public health guidelines is at an all-time high.”
In evaluating for potential renewal of the mask mandate: 1) A value above 10% combined PCR and antigen positivity rate (7-day rolling average) with a least 7,500 specimens tested on average daily would be actionable. 2) If testing is below 7,500 average specimens daily, then the number of hospitalized patients would serve as the indicator for action. Fewer than 750 patients hospitalized state-wide for covid-19 would be the trigger.
The proclamation includes a directive that the mask mandate will continue, but end on March 31st, if certain public health goals are maintained. Effective immediately, all other directives will become guidelines. This would include directives for restaurants, gyms, salons, indoor and outdoor venues and others.
A directive is based on scientific data and a rational basis, is a mandate like an order with a potential penalty after due process. A guidance, is also based on scientific data, but is merely a strong recommendation based on medical advice.
The Governor said the reason for these changes is because we’ve made progress in the pandemic, “Businesses have adjusted and made changes to their business model in the interest of public health, and we’ve seen a steady decline in cases. Also we’ve had increased public education so the public knows exactly what is needed to stop the spread of the virus. They know where they can go safely, where they can’t go safely, and they can make those judgements. We don’t get there immediately but we get there through following guidelines. We get there through seeing the cases go down, and continuing to be careful about our behavior.”
Hutchinson said he doesn’t expect to see a change in behavior and that businesses have reason to follow the guidelines because business liability protection is based on following Public Health guidelines. He said there is more flexibility however, if a guideline doesn’t make sense.
Quarantine and isolation directives will stay in place as part of the emergency order. The Governor stated that if cases go up, the emergency order remains in place, so the state can adjust as needed. Since the mask mandate remains through March 31st, the state is using that to monitor the cases go over that period of time. If there is a dramatic change, the guidelines can be reinstated as mandates during the continuation of the emergency.
The Governor also addressed the impact these changes will have on schools:
- Most districts have adopted local board policies to require the mask mandate and social distancing. This can remain in place at the discretion of the local boards.
- The guidance on capacity and social distancing will allow for proms, athletic events, graduation and other extracurricular events to be held. It will negate the assurance documents districts filed with AAA and ADH.
- Quarantine guidance will not change.
- Identification of close contacts will stay in place.
Summarizing, The three announcements were:
- The continuation of the emergency
- The mask mandate continues through March 31st with an opportunity for that to end if we meet certain Public Health criteria and beating the virus
- Public Health directives become guidelines
Dr. Romero ended the press conference stating that the Department of Health is watch for variants of the covid-19 virus in Arkansas. He also urged citizens to get the covid-19 vaccine, “It is essential that we all receive the vaccine. That is the only way we’re going to move out of this pandemic. We need to protect ourselves and protect others with these vaccines.”