Thursday COVID Update: Governor Orders Statewide Mask Mandate Beginning Monday

1. Face Coverings Executive Order (Effective Monday, July 20) – the Secretary of Health shall issue a public health directive requiring every person in Arkansas to wear a face covering over the mouth and nose:

• In all INDOOR environments where they are exposed to non-household members and distancing of six (6) feet or more cannot be assured and
• In all OUTDOOR settings where there is exposure to non-household members, unless there exists ample space of six (6) feet or more to practice physical distancing
• Cities and counties may issue local ordinances consistent with this order
• Cities shall not impose any measure that is in conflict with a directive or guideline issued by the Secretary of Health, in consultation with the Governor
• The provisions of this order shall supersede those contained Executive Order 20-41; however, nothing in this order shall invalidate any ordinance passed pursuant to EO 20-41
• This order shall automatically expire upon termination of the current emergency

2. Exemptions for Persons:

• Younger than 10 years of age
• With a medical condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering
• Performing job duties where a six feet distance is no achievable, but a mask is inhibitory to the activity
• Consuming food or drink
• Driving alone or with passengers from the driver’s household
• Receiving services that require access to the face for security, surveillance, or other purposes may temporarily remove a face covering while receiving those services
• Voting, assisting voters, serving as poll watchers, or actively performing election administration duties, however, face coverings are strongly encouraged
• Engaged in religious worship activities, however, face coverings are strongly encouraged
• Giving a speech or performance for broadcast or to an audience, however, those persons shall safely distance from nearby individuals
• In counties where the Department of Health has certified that risk of community transmission of COVID-19 is low

3. Executive Orders of the Governor have the force and effect of law

• Violation of a directive from the Secretary of Health during this public health emergency is
• A misdemeanor offense, and upon conviction punishable by a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00.

4. Law enforcement and local officials have the authority and are encouraged to enforce this directive

• First-time violators of this order shall receive a verbal or written warning
• Violators of this order under 18 years of age shall only receive a verbal or written warning
• No law enforcement officer or local official may detain, arrest, or confine in jail any person for violation of this order
• This order shall not prohibit law enforcement officers or local officials from enforcing trespassing laws or other applicable laws in removing violators at the request of businesses or other property owners.

5. Statewide mandate issued because of growing cases/hospitalizations/deaths, advice from doctors and nurses, legislative input, for our children and grandchildren going back to school and adults setting the right example for them

6. Over 1,000 cases have been assigned for contact tracing to General Dynamics

7. Vaccine study in Arkansas

• To participate in the clinical trial go to ArkansasCovidvaccine.com

THE NUMBERS

There are currently 31,114 cases (up 817)
• 81 of 817 in correctional facilities
• 6,578 active cases (138 in nursing homes, 978 correctional facilities, 5,465 community)
• Of the 817 new cases: 114 in Pulaski County, 68 Washington Co, 43 Sebastian Co, 40 Pope Co, 48 Benton Co, 22 Craighead Co, 27 Faulkner Co, 26 Yell Co, 20 Arkansas Co, 24 Garland Co
470 hospitalized (up 12)
341 deaths (up 6)
101 on ventilators (up 7)
24,195 recovered (up 672)
6,020 tests yesterday
• 7.6% overall positivity rate
• Find a testing location at AR.gov/COVID.

THE CHARTS