By: Ray King
The Arkansas Health Department has finalized an order placing limits on the number of people who can gather as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
According to the order and “based on available scientific evidence, it is necessary and appropriate to take further action to ensure that COVID-19 remains controlled and that residents and visitors in Arkansas remain safe.”
The order, dated Thursday, limits gatherings to no more than 10 people in any confined indoor or outdoor space and in a variety of settings, including without limitation community, civic, public, leisure, commercial or sporting events, concerts, conferences, parades and festivals.
The state directive does not apply to gatherings of 10 or more in unenclosed outdoor spaces such as parks, trails, athletic fields and courts, parking lots, golf courses and driving ranges where social distancing of at least six feet can be accomplished easily.
It also does not apply to businesses, manufacturing construction companies, places of worship, the Arkansas General Assembly, municipal and county government bodies, or the judiciary; however, these entities are advised to limit person-to-person contact and maintain appropriate social distancing of at least six feet to prevent the spread of the virus.
The order went on to say that the Secretary of Health “reserves the right to exercise his authority to prevent the spread of disease in this State if, in his judgment, any of the excluded entities are operating in a manner that is a risk to public health.”
