News and Updates
Latest Updates
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Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | The Wait for Nursing Home Visits is Almost Over
LITTLE ROCK – We set a goal to test every resident and staff member in long-term-care in June, and today I’m pleased to say that nursing homes, and assisted-living and residential-care facilities will be able to resume limited family visits and other activities on July 1 if they have complied with t
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Governor Hutchinson Issues Executive Orders on Medical Immunity, Business Liability, and Workers Compensation Coverage
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson issued executive orders today that clarify Workers Compensation Law during the public-health emergency, protect health care providers from liability, and exempt businesses from liability related to the spread of COVID-19. “I want to thank the General Assembly fo
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The Arkansas Economy in the Time of COVID-19
Dr. Mervin Jebaraj, Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, delivered a report to the Arkansas Recovery Task Force on June 8, 2020. Dr. Jebaraj detailed the impact that COVID-19 has had on Arkansas's unemployment rates, consumer spending an
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Contact Tracing in Arkansas
Case investigation and contact tracing, a core disease control measure employed by local and state health department personnel for decades, is a key strategy for preventing further spread of COVID-19. This control method is a significant part of the process of supporting patients and warning contact
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Governor Announces New COVID-19 Advisory Board To Review Testing Contact-Tracing Technology
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has created the COVID-19 Technical Advisory Board to review and evaluate new technologies as the state’s public health agencies develop strategies for testing and contact tracing, the governor announced at his daily COVID-19 press briefing today. “Two of the mos
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Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Coming Back from the Health and Economic Crisis
LITTLE ROCK – The Economic Recovery Task Force has submitted its interim report to me, and today I’d like to talk about some of the steps we need to take to boost our economy after COVID-19. The report paints an accurate picture of COVID’s impact on the state. For example, it notes 5,500 jobs were l
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Interim Report from the Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force
Click here to view the interim report on the work underway to restore Arkansas’s economy.
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COVID-19 testing events planned across state
Little Rock, Ark. – The Arkansas Department of Health will host a series of drive-thru COVID-19 testing events at locations across the state beginning this Friday. At each event, there will be no out-of-pocket cost for the tests, and tests will be offered to anyone who wants to be tested regardless
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Local Health Units to offer COVID-19 testing
Little Rock, Ark. – The Arkansas Department of Health’s Local Health Units across the state will offer COVID-19 testing beginning Monday. Testing is encouraged for all individuals who believe they have had contact with or been exposed to a positive case as well as anyone who is experiencing symptoms
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Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Testing: A Critical Part of Fighting the Virus
LITTLE ROCK – Today I’d like to talk about our COVID-19 testing and a new partnership with the Arkansas Community Health Centers. In an effort to flatten the curve and increase testing for COVID-19, I have consistently encouraged individuals with a simple message: “If you think you have symptoms, do
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Governor Hutchinson Extends Public Health Emergency In Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK - Governor Asa Hutchinson has extended Arkansas’s COVID-19 public health and disaster emergency for an additional 45 days, he announced at a news conference today. Governor Hutchinson issued Executive Order 20-25 to renew the public health and disaster emergency he originally declared on
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Governor Announces Theaters, Lecture Halls, Other Large Venues Okayed For Limited Reopening
LITTLE ROCK – Indoor venues such as theaters, arenas, stadiums, and auction houses that are designed for large groups may reopen on May 18 on a limited basis, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced at his daily COVID-19 press conference today. The Arkansas Department of Health issued a directive today th
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Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Getting Back to Business
Governor Hutchinson's weekly radio address can be found in MP3 format and downloaded HERE. LITTLE ROCK – This has been a good week in Arkansas. We have made progress in containing COVID-19, so I was able to announce some good news about our path back to normal. I announced we would allow the limited
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Barber, Cosmetology, Massage Therapy, Body Art, And Medical Spa Services May Resume Operations On May 6, Governor Hutchinson Announces
LITTLE ROCK – Barber shops, body art establishments, body art schools, cosmetology establishments, massage therapy clinics and spas, and medical spas may resume operations on May 6, 2020, under Phase 1 guidelines established to protect the health and safety of employees and patrons, Governor Asa Hut
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Gyms, Fitness Centers May Resume Operations on May 4, Governor Hutchinson Announces
LITTLE ROCK – Gyms and fitness centers may resume operations on May 4, 2020, under certain guidelines established to protect the health and safety of employees and patrons, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced at his daily press briefing today. Under these guidelines, gyms and fitness centers must impl
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Limited Dine-in Restaurant Service May Resume May 11, Governor Announces
LITTLE ROCK – Restaurants in Arkansas may resume limited dine-in service on May 11 under Phase 1 guidelines that require daily health screening of staff, use of face masks and gloves, and strict social distancing, Governor Hutchinson announced at his daily press briefing today. “Based on current dat
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State Parks Lifting Some Restrictions For Arkansas Residents, Governor Announces
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas State Parks will begin a limited reopening of some facilities for Arkansas residents starting May 1, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced today. “Closing our parks, campgrounds, and visitor centers has been one of the toughest restrictions during this pandemic, but it was necessa
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Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | The Road Back
Governor Hutchinson's weekly radio address can be found in MP3 format and downloaded HERE. LITTLE ROCK – Today I’d like to talk about our plans to shift our economy out of low gear as we look to life after the worst of this health crisis has passed. I am optimistic about our economy and our ability
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Governor Launches Two-Day Arkansas Surge Campaign to Increase COVID-19 Testing
LITTLE ROCK – In an effort increase testing for COVID-19, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced a two-day Arkansas Surge Campaign today with a simple message: “If you think you have symptoms, don’t wait – get tested.” The goal of the two-day Arkansas Surge is to increase testing from 1,000 to 1,500 per
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Governor Hutchinson Announces Certain Nonessential Procedures May Resume April 27
Releases dates for decisions regarding other businesses LITTLE ROCK – Medical service providers can resume certain nonessential out-patient procedures, restricted during the COVID-19 health crisis, on April 27, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced at a news conference today. The Arkansas Department of
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