Public health emergency extended through end of March

The public health emergency governing Arkansas’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been extended through the end of next month.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced the extension during a specially called press conference Friday morning. The emergency order was set to expire Feb. 27.

The current emergency declaration includes executive orders requiring Medicaid reimbursement for telemedicine visits as well as liability protections for Arkansas businesses. The statewide face mask mandate will also continue through at least March 31. Hutchinson said the state will determine then whether to drop the mask mandate depending on the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Arkansas and the testing positivity rate. The penalties and exceptions governing his mask update will also remain in effect.

Hutchinson then announced he was changing his public health directives to guidelines, with the exception of the face mask mandate. As guidelines they will be recommended, not required, and carry no penalties for non-compliance. The decision, he added, will provide affected businesses with more flexibility to operate under the current health emergency.

The CDC’s quarantine and isolation directives remain in place and without adjustments at this time.

Arkansas Health Secretary Dr. Jose Romero spoke briefly to address several issues. He said Arkansans should continue to follow health guidelines and receive their COVID-19 vaccination as soon as it is available to them. In addition, Dr. Romero said the state remains on watch for additional variants of the virus.