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Documenting Arkansas' path to recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

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Arkansas coronavirus coverage
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Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains a general timeline of noteworthy state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic since April 2020. It also includes details on three specific types of state responses to the pandemic:

Additionally, the article includes:


Response news updates

The following section provides a timeline of Arkansas' reopening activity beginning in April 2020. The entries, which come from our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter, are sorted by month in reverse chronological order. The date shown is the day that we wrote about them in the newsletter. They appear exactly as they appeared in the newsletter.

August 2021

  • August 5: On Aug. 3, Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) called the Arkansas General Assembly into special session. Hutchinson wants lawmakers to create an exemption in Act 1002. The existing law bans state and local governments from imposing mask requirements. Hutchinson wants an exemption that will allow school boards to require masks for students 11 years old and younger who can't receive the coronavirus vaccine. The special session began on Aug. 4.
  • August 3: On July 29, Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) reinstated Arkansas’ coronavirus public health emergency.

June 2021

  • June 28: The state stopped participating in pandemic-related federal unemployment benefit programs June 26. Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) made the announcement May 7.

May 2021

  • May 10: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced the state will stop participating in federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits programs starting June 26.

March 2021

  • March 31:
    • Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) lifted the state’s mask requirement on March 30. The requirement first took effect July 20. Businesses can still require patrons to wear masks. Arkansas is the seventh state to lift a statewide public mask requirement.
    • On March 30, Hutchinson also expanded vaccine eligibility to everyone 16 and older. Previously, individuals in Phase 1-C (including residents 65 and older) were eligible for vaccination.
  • March 9: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced the remaining categories in Phase 1-B of distribution are now eligible for vaccination. The expansion includes essential government workers, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, correctional officers, and grocery store employees. People age 65 and older, educators, and some food and agriculture employees were already eligible.
  • March 5: On March 4, Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) said he will not comply with an Arkansas Supreme Court order declaring certain court employees (including security officers, district court judges and their staffers, and all circuit, district, and county clerks and staffers) as essential workers eligible for vaccination under Phase 1-B of the state’s distribution plan. Hutchinson said: “I appreciate the Supreme Court’s concern for judges and staff members of the court system and for attorneys whose cases require them to work in person at a courthouse. Our schedule for vaccinations takes into account the needs and risk level for all Arkansans, and this group is not yet eligible in the 1B phase. As our allocation of vaccine increases, we will be able to move more quickly, but currently, court employees who don’t otherwise qualify for a shot will have to wait for their eligibility.”
  • March 2: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) extended the state’s coronavirus emergency order and mask mandate for 30 days through March 31. Hutchinson also changed all other public health directives to non-mandatory public health guidelines, including capacity limits on bars, restaurants, and gyms.

February 2021

  • February 17: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) lifted the requirement that indoor event gatherings of more than 10 people must obtain state approval. Indoor events larger than 100 people still need state approval.
  • February 3: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced he is allowing the order requiring bars and restaurants that serve alcohol to close nightly by 11 p.m. to expire, effective Feb. 3.

January 2021

  • January 19: The state started Phase 1-B of vaccine distribution on Jan. 18. Individuals age 70 and older and school staff are eligible to receive the vaccine.
  • January 6: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) added first responders to the list of individuals currently able to receive a vaccine. Hutchinson also said the second (next) phase of vaccinations would include residents over the age of 70. Previously, the state planned to vaccinate individuals over the age of 75 in the second phase.

November 2020

  • November 20: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced restaurants, bars, and clubs that serve alcohol will have to close by 11 p.m. every night, starting Nov. 20.

August 2020

  • August 24: Schools in Arkansas reopened to in-person instruction on Aug. 24. The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement announced that district-level data on testing rates and active coronavirus cases would be made available online.
  • August 14: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) released the Arkansas Ready to Learn Healthy School Guide. The document is a support guide for teachers and administrators created in partnership with Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The guide outlines best practices for in-person learning. Schools are allowed to reopen on Aug. 24.
  • August 5: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) said that public schools in the state were still on track to reopen beginning Aug. 24. “We need to have school this year. Absolutely. I'm firm on that. The educators are firm on that. Public health is firm on [that]. We need to have school,” he said.
  • August 3: On July 31, Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced that high school football and volleyball practices could begin on Aug. 3. Hutchinson also announced the creation of the High School Sports Advisory Group, a 14-person committee meant to advise the governor and state Department of Health on how to approach school sports for the fall 2020 season.

July 2020

  • July 16: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) signed an executive order requiring individuals to wear masks in public when social distancing is not possible. The order will take effect on July 20.
  • July 10: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced that the reopening of schools would be delayed until Aug. 24. Schools were previously set to open Aug. 13.

June 2020

  • June 26: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced that the state would not proceed with a new phase of its reopening, citing the increase in the number of positive coronavirus cases.
  • June 18: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced that long-term care facilities could accept visitors beginning July 1. Facilities will have to meet state guidelines to accept visitors.
  • June 15: The state entered into Phase Two of its reopening plan. Phase Two allows open businesses with a capacity limit to increase that limit, although they are not allowed to operate at full capacity.
  • June 11: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced the state would enter Phase Two of its reopening plan on June 15. Phase Two will allow businesses with a capacity limit to increase that limit, although they will not be allowed to operate at full capacity. Hutchinson also said he expects schools to re-open to in-person instruction in the fall.
  • June 5: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced the state would be split into five regions for Phase Two of reopening. Hutchinson said a region will have to show no evidence of an increase in coronavirus cases to proceed to phase two.
  • June 1: The Arkansas Department of Health announced that community and school-sponsored team sports could resume beginning June 1. Bands are allowed to resume marching activities without wind instruments. College athletics are not included in this reopening.

May 2020

  • May 27: A directive from the state Department of Health took effect on May 26 allowing bars to reopen. Bars may operate at 33% of seating capacity with social distancing guidelines for table service and bar service. Patrons must wear a mask until food or drink is served.
  • May 15: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced the state would not be ready to move to phase two of the state’s reopening plan on May 18 as originally anticipated. The announcement came after the state saw an increase in patients and hospitalizations in the last two days.
  • May 8: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced that the state's six casinos could reopen beginning May 18. The casinos will only be allowed to open at 33% capacity and must follow social distancing guidelines.
  • May 4: Gyms and fitness centers can reopen Monday. Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) said gyms must screen staff before work and require patrons to maintain a distance of 12 feet. Arkansas is a Republican trifecta.


Vaccine distribution

This section contains a table of quick facts on the state’s vaccine distribution plan and a timeline of noteworthy events, including updates on vaccine availability for new groups of individuals, changes to state distribution plans, and much more. If you know of a noteworthy story we are missing, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

The Arkansas Department of Health released a distribution plan on October 16, 2020.

Quick facts

Arkansas state vaccination plan quick information
What governing entities are responsible for vaccine allocation and distribution?[1] (1) Arkansas Secretary of Health (2) Arkansas Vaccine Medical Advisory Committee
Where can I find a quick breakdown of phases in my state? Vaccine Plan in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
Where can I find the distribution plan? Arkansas COVID-19 Vaccination Plan (Executive summary)
When was the plan first released to the public? October 16, 2020
When was the plan most recently updated? October 16, 2020
Where can I find answers to frequently asked questions? COVID-19 Vaccination Plan
Where can I find data related to the coronavirus vaccine in my state? COVID-19 Vaccinations
Where is the state health department's homepage? Arkansas Department of Health
Where can I find additional information about the state's vaccine distribution? The COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan in Arkansas - AARP

Timeline

  • Nov. 15, 2021: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) directed the Arkansas Department of Health to issue guidelines making all residents 18 and older eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot if six months had passed since they received a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two months had passed since they received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine.[2]
  • March 30, 2021: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) expanded vaccine eligibility to everyone 16 and older. Previously, individuals in Phase 1-C (including residents 65 and older) were eligible for vaccination.[3]
  • March 8, 2021: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced the remaining categories in Phase 1-B of distribution were eligible for vaccination. The expansion included essential government workers, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, correctional officers, and grocery store employees. People age 65 and older, educators, and some food and agriculture employees were already eligible.[4]
  • March 4, 2021: Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) said he would not comply with an Arkansas Supreme Court order declaring certain court employees (including security officers, district court judges and their staffers, and all circuit, district, and county clerks and staffers) as essential workers eligible for vaccination under Phase 1-B of the state’s distribution plan. Hutchinson said: “I appreciate the Supreme Court’s concern for judges and staff members of the court system and for attorneys whose cases require them to work in person at a courthouse. Our schedule for vaccinations takes into account the needs and risk level for all Arkansans, and this group is not yet eligible in the 1B phase. As our allocation of vaccine increases, we will be able to move more quickly, but currently, court employees who don’t otherwise qualify for a shot will have to wait for their eligibility.”[5]
  • January 18, 2021: Arkansas started Phase 1-B of vaccine distribution. Individuals age 70 and older and school staff became eligible to receive the vaccine.[6]
  • January 5, 2021: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) added first responders to the list of individuals able to receive a vaccine. Hutchinson also said the second phase of vaccinations would include residents over the age of 70. Previously, the state had planned to vaccinate individuals over the age of 75 in the second phase.[7]

School reopenings and closures

See also: School responses in Arkansas to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Schools in Arkansas were closed to in-person instruction on March 17, 2020, and remained closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year. The state allowed schools to start reopening on August 24, 2020. The timeline below lists statewide responses we tracked.

  • June 29, 2021: At the end of the school year, Burbio reported most schools were in-person in Arkansas .[8][9]
  • Sept. 10, 2020: At the beginning of the school year, Burbio reported most schools were in-person in Arkansas.[10][11]
  • August 24, 2020: Schools in Arkansas reopened to in-person instruction.[12] The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement announced that district-level data on testing rates and active coronavirus cases would be made available online.[13]
  • August 13, 2020: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) released the Arkansas Ready to Learn Healthy School Guide. The document was a support guide for teachers and administrators created in partnership with Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The guide outlined best practices for in-person learning.[14]
  • August 4, 2020: Hutchinson said that public schools in the state were still on track to reopen beginning Aug. 24. “We need to have school this year. Absolutely. I'm firm on that. The educators are firm on that. Public health is firm on [that]. We need to have school,” he said.[15]
  • July 9, 2020: Hutchinson announced that the reopening of schools would be delayed until August 24. Schools in the state were previously set to open on August 13.[16]
  • June 24, 2020: Arkansas Department of Education Commissioner Johnny Key released updated guidance for schools. The new guidance recommended that students older than 10 wear face coverings while riding on the bus and that younger students wear face coverings whenever practical.[17]
  • June 10, 2020: Hutchinson said that he expected schools would re-open for in-person instruction in the fall.[18]
  • June 5, 2020: The Arkansas Department of Education released its 26-page Arkansas Ready for Learning plan. The plan required face coverings for staff and students older than 10, social distancing requirements, and staggered meal times to limit cafeteria capacity.[19]


  • April 6, 2020: Hutchinson closed schools for the remainder of the academic year. Prior to this order, schools in the state were closed through April 17.[20]
  • March 19, 2020: Hutchinson announced that the statewide school closure, scheduled to end March 27, was extended to April 17.[21]
  • March 15, 2020: Hutchinson ordered all schools in the state to close from March 17 to March 27.[22]

Statewide travel restrictions

See also: Travel restrictions issued by states in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021


Does Arkansas have restrictions on travel? No. The 14-day quarantine requirement for travelers expired June 15, 2020.[23]

More information can be found at the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism.

Timeline

  • June 15, 2020: The 14-day travel requirement for out-of-state travelers from coronavirus hot spot areas expired.[24]
  • May 14, 2020: Nathaniel Smith, the Arkansas Secretary of Health, issued a 14-day quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers who have been in an international location or New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or New Orleans in the last 14 days.[25]
  • May 6, 2020: Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) lifted an order, signed April 4, that restricted hotels and short-term rentals to authorized guests, including essential workers. The order was enacted to discourage recreational travel into Arkansas.[26]
  • March 30, 2020: The Arkansas Department of Health released an advisory urging travelers from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and New Orleans to self-quarantine for 14 days. The advisory also included international travelers.[27]


Statewide mask requirements

See also: State-level mask requirements in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


On July 16, 2020, Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) signed an executive order, effective July 20, requiring individuals to wear masks in public when social distancing is not possible.

Hutchinson lifted the mandate March 30, 2021.


Noteworthy lawsuits

See also: Lawsuits about state actions and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

Ballotpedia has not covered any noteworthy lawsuits in this state. Click the link above to see noteworthy lawsuits filed in response to the coronavirus pandemic in other states.

Officials and candidates diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

The table below lists officials or candidates who have been diagnosed with or quarantined due to coronavirus. The most recent announcements appear first.

Name Office Date Status
Cecile Bledsoe Arkansas State Senate District 3 October 26, 2020 Arkansas state Senate president Jim Hendren announced that Bledsoe had tested positive for COVID-19.[28]
Charlene Fite Arkansas House of Representatives District 80 October 24, 2020 Fite announced on Facebook that she had tested positive for COVID-19.[29]
Jason Rapert Arkansas State Senate District 35 July 23, 2020 Rapert announced that he was in the hospital after testing positive for coronavirus.[30]
Lanny Fite Arkansas House of Representatives District 23 January 20, 2021 Fite announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[31]
Keith Slape Arkansas House of Representatives District 83 January 18, 2021 Slape announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[32]
Milton Nicks Jr. Arkansas House of Representatives District 50 January 13, 2021 Nicks announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[33]
Clarke Tucker Arkansas State Senate District 32 January 12, 2022 Tucker announced on January 12, 2022, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[34]
Ronald Caldwell Arkansas State Senate District 23 December 3, 2020 Caldwell announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus the week before, and had been at home recovering.[35]
Carlton Wing Arkansas House of Representatives District 38 December 10, 2020 Wing announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[36]
Les Warren Arkansas House of Representatives District 25 April 6, 2020 Warren announced he had tested positive for COVID-19.[37]
Reginald Murdock Arkansas House of Representatives District 48 April 1, 2020 A spokeswoman for Murdock announced that he had tested positive for coronavirus.[38]
Vivian Flowers Arkansas House of Representatives District 17 April 1, 2020 Flowers tested positive for COVID-19.[39]

Paths to recovery by state

To read about other states’ responses and recoveries, click one of the links below:

Other state government responses

To view previous coverage areas, including changes to 2020 election dates and policies, initial stay-at-home orders, coronavirus-related legislation, and much more, click a state in the map below.

https://ballotpedia.org/Government_responses_to_and_political_effects_of_the_coronavirus_pandemic,_2020_(STATE)

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named section7
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AR1115
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AK330
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AK38
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AK34
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AR118
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AR15
  8. ↑ Burbio rated Arkansas' in-person index at 96.8. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  9. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct.6, 2021
  10. ↑ Burbio rated Arkansas' in-person index between 80-100 in Arkansas. To read more about Burbio's school opening tracker, click here. To read more about Burbio's methodology, click here.
  11. ↑ Burbio, "Burbio's K-12 School Opening Tracker," accessed Oct. 6, 2021
  12. ↑ KNWA, "BACK TO SCHOOL IN ARKANSAS: A recap of what we know so far," August 23, 2020
  13. ↑ KUAR, "Protests Over School Reopening Continue In Little Rock," August 14, 2020
  14. ↑ KARK, "State releases Arkansas Ready to Learn Healthy School Guide," August 13, 2020
  15. ↑ THV11, "Gov. Hutchinson stands firm on schools reopening with in-class instruction," August 4, 2020
  16. ↑ KATV, "Arkansas pushes back school start date; 806 new virus cases reported," July 9, 2020
  17. ↑ KARK, "Arkansas Department of Education Commissioner issues update to COVID-19 guidance for schools," June 24, 2020
  18. ↑ Talk Business & Politics, "Schools’ guided preparation a ‘work in progress,’" June 11, 2020
  19. ↑ Arkansas Democrat Gazette, "State tells schools to prepare blend of in-person, online education," June 5, 2020
  20. ↑ KY3, "Arkansas' governor orders schools remain closed through school year; virtual learning continuing," April 6, 2020
  21. ↑ U.S. News & World Report, "Arkansas Expands Restrictions, School Closure Over Virus," March 19, 2020
  22. ↑ Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, "Schools across Arkansas to shut over coronavirus concerns," March 15, 2020
  23. ↑ Arkansas Department of Health, "Directive for Travelers from “Hot Spot” and International Locations," accessed June 19, 2020
  24. ↑ Arkansas Department of Health, "Directive for Travelers from “Hot Spot” and International Locations," accessed June 19, 2020
  25. ↑ Arkansas Department of Health, "Directive for Travelers from “Hot Spot” and International Locations," May 14, 2020
  26. ↑ THV 11, "Out-of-state travelers can stay in hotels, lodges and Arkansas state parks again," May 6, 2020
  27. ↑ Arkansas Department of Health, "Advisory for Travelers from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Orleans and All International Locations," March 30, 2020
  28. ↑ 4029 TV, "Arkansas Sen. Cecile Bledsoe tests positive for coronavirus," October 26, 2020
  29. ↑ KATV, "6th Arkansas GOP lawmaker tests positive for virus," October 26, 2020
  30. ↑ KY3, "Arkansas state senator tests positive for COVID-19," July 23, 2020
  31. ↑ Arkansas Online, "Benton lawmaker tests positive for virus," January 20, 2021
  32. ↑ Arkansas Online, "State lawmaker latest to test positive for virus," January 19, 2021
  33. ↑ KATV, "Arkansas State Rep. Milton Nicks Jr. tests positive for COVID-19," January 13, 2021
  34. ↑ KARK, "Arkansas State Senator Clarke Tucker tests positive for COVID-19," January 12, 2022
  35. ↑ 5 News Online', "Another Arkansas state senator has tested positive for COVID-19," December 3, 2020
  36. ↑ Fox 16, "State Representative tests positive for COVID-19," December 10, 2020
  37. ↑ Arkansas Times, "A third representative, Les Warren, tests positive for coronavirus as House plans more safeguards," April 6, 2020
  38. ↑ Northwest Arkasnas Democrat Gazette, "State representative tests positive for covid-19," April 1, 2020
  39. ↑ Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, "2nd Arkansas lawmaker tests positive for covid-19," April 2, 2020
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