The State of Arkansas is no longer allowed to issue any new mask mandates. The law also bans any local officials from enforcing mask-wearing in their cities.
According to an article published by THV11, the law, which was passed in April and signed by Governor Asa Hutchinson, does not apply to private businesses or healthcare facilities owned or operated by the state. Under the law, only the Arkansas legislature “reserves the right to enact legislation regarding the mandatory use of face masks, face shields, or other face coverings.”
Hutchinson ended the state mask mandate at the end of March after cases continued to drop.
The CDC’s current guideline on masks states that if you are not fully vaccinated you should wear a mask indoors. Masks are still required on planes and other forms of public transportation.
The article added that as the delta variant continues to spike in Arkansas, Hutchinson has mentioned that the state has to face the challenge. One month ago, there were less than 200 people hospitalized, but now there are 565. That number is expected to grow.
“The good news is the vaccines are effective against the variant,” Hutchinson said. But right now, only 35% of the state is vaccinated for COVID-19 which is below the national average of 48%.
According to the Associated Press, Arkansas leads the country in new cases per capita over the last two weeks.
