Governor Asa Hutchinson announced Tuesday that he is considering requiring state approval for certain gatherings with more than 10 people due to record numbers stemming from the Coronavirus pandemic.
“With the statistics and the data indicating it is the group gatherings that are adding to the spread [of the virus] outside of a regulated environment, we want to be able to do more as we go through the next couple of months to be sure that if we have group gatherings, they have the right protocols in place for safety,” Hutchinson said.
Currently, the Arkansas Department of Health currently requires gathering of more than 100 people to submit a plan for approval.
Hutchinson said during a meeting with public officials and hospital representatives in Saline County that he’s thinking about reducing it to 10, with exceptions for businesses, such as restaurants, and sporting events.
Hutchinson said an office party is an example of an event with more than 10 people that could require state approval.
You could also possibly see temperature checks and social distancing as some of the measures required to obtain permission.
