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Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (Arkansas)

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Responses by state

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 coverage of eight kinds of state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The article tracks developments in these areas that took place between the start of the pandemic in March 2020 through Dec. 4, 2020. The government responses covered here include:

Additionally, the article includes:

To view current coverage areas, including mask requirements, school responses, travel restrictions, and much more, click a state in the map below.

Documenting_STATE%27s_path_to_recovery_from_the_coronavirus_(COVID-19)_pandemic,_2020-2021


Changes to election dates and procedures, March 16 through November 19

General election changes

Arkansas modified its absentee/mail-in voting procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election as follows:

  • Absentee/mail-in voting: Voters in the general election could cite concerns over COVID-19 as a valid excuse for voting absentee.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

Primary election changes

Political party events in Arkansas were modified as follows:

  • Political party events: The Democratic Party of Arkansas allowed 17 of the state's 75 counties to conduct their county-level conventions via telephone or video.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

Click the gray bar below for more detailed information.


Statewide stay-at-home order, March 23 through December 4

See also: States with lockdown and stay-at-home orders in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

As of April 6, 2020, Arkansas had not issued a statewide stay-at-home order.


Executive orders, March 30 through June 29

See also: Executive orders issued by governors and state agencies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


Court closures, March 17 through November 4

See also: State court closures in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
  • June 11, 2020: The Arkansas Supreme Court announced it would lift the suspension of jury trials on July 1. The order did not mandate in-person proceedings to resume, but only lifts the previous restrictions.[4]
  • May 8, 2020: The Arkansas Supreme Court announced that courts in the state could resume conducting hearings under certain guidelines to slow the spread of coronavirus beginning May 18. Guidelines included limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people and encouraged the use of alternative venues, such as auditoriums, if the courtroom was not sufficient to maintain social distancing. The order also allowed presiding judges to determine if a hearing should be held through video or teleconference or in-person.[5]
  • May 1, 2020: The Arkansas Supreme Court issued two memos, one for circuit courts and one for district courts, that issued guidance as courts return to in-person proceedings and jury trials following the coronavirus pandemic.[6][7]
  • April 24, 2020: An Arkansas Supreme Court task force issued a memo titled, “Preparation of Returning to In-Person Proceedings.” The memo detailed a two-pronged approach put forth by the Department of Health to help minimize the risk of exposure. The first prong called for screening to identify individuals who were symptomatic or who had been in contact with someone who has coronavirus through temperature checks and questionnaires. The second prong called for maintaining social distancing, wearing face masks, and avoiding contact with hard surfaces to protect against exposure from asymptomatic individuals. In-person proceedings and jury trials were suspended in the state through May 15.[8]
  • April 23, 2020: The Supreme Court of Arkansas extended restrictions on in-person proceedings through May 15. Prior to the order, restrictions were set to expire on May 1.[9]
  • April 3, 2020: The Supreme Court of Arkansas suspended summonses for jury duty through June 30.[10]
  • March 17, 2020: The Supreme Court of Arkansas suspended all in-person proceedings in all appellate, circuit, and district courts.[11]

Legislative session changes, March 20 through October 1

See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

On March 24, 2020, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson (R) issued a proclamation convening a special session of the state legislature to begin March 26, 2020, and continuing indefinitely. The proclamation specified that one purpose of the special session would be "to create the COVID-19 Rainy Day Fund; to transfer funds to the COVID-19 Rainy Day Fund; and to Declare an Emergency." The special session adjourned on March 28, 2020. Lawmakers reconvened on April 8, 2020, and adjourned their regular session on April 24, 2020.[12][13]

Proposed and enacted legislation, March 25 through August 19

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

See below for a complete list of bills related to the coronavirus pandemic in Arkansas. To learn more about a particular bill, click its title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.

Rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies, April 9 through November 24

See also: Changes to rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


  • As of April 6, 2020, Arkansas had not implemented any policies related to evictions or foreclosures in response to the coronavirus.[14]


Prison inmate release responses, March 30 through July 1

See also: State and local governments that released prison inmates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
  • May 12, 2020: Arkansas state officials announced that 300 inmates had been released from state prisons, and the state's Board of Corrections had made over 1,200 inmates eligible for parole since April. The releases follow an April 20 directive from Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) to consider the early release of some inmates due to the coronavirus pandemic.[15] A few local counties made the decision to release incarcerated individuals on the local level.[16]


Debate in Arkansas over responses to the coronavirus

See also: Debate in Arkansas over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia is covering the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in Arkansas in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Click on the links below to read more about these debates.

Status of industries, May 15 through July 31

Between May 15 and July 31, we conducted detailed tracking of industries and activities in each state daily.

  • "Yes" means an activity was allowed or an industry was permitted to open. "No" means an activity was not allowed or an industry was not permitted to reopen.
  • Some rules were applied regionally rather than statewide. Each cell shows the loosest restriction in place at the time, or the broadest level of an activity permitted in the state, even if that activity was only permitted regionally. Where applicable, we indicated that an activity was only permitted regionally, and provided details in a cell note. For example, if gyms were permitted to open in half of a state, the spreadsheet would say "Yes (regionally)," and differences between the regions would be explained in a note.
  • A lack of detail in a note or parentheses does not necessarily mean that an activity or industry was "back to normal." We did our best to capture caveats, exceptions, and modifications to activities. We acknowledge, though, that states put forth a large number of requirements for many industries and activities.

Initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures

Arkansas released an initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures on April 17, 2020. An analysis of this plan appeared in our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter on June 5. The sections below include an analysis of the plan, the details of the plan, and reactions from officials to the plan.

Summary from Documenting America's Path to Recovery

See also: Documenting America's Path to Recovery: June 5, 2020

On April 17, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced a May 4 target date for beginning Phase 1 of a three-phase reopening plan. Gyms and fitness centers were allowed to open May 4. Hutchinson ordered certain businesses to close, including bars, gyms, indoor amusement centers, barbershops, and casinos, on April 4. Dine-in services at restaurants were also prohibited, as were gatherings of more than 10 people in any confined indoor or outdoor space. Arkansas was one of seven states that did not issue a stay-at-home order for individuals. On April 27, Hutchinson said the state would follow White House gating criteria for beginning Phase 1, including:

  • a downward trajectory of influenza-like illnesses and COVID-like cases within 14 days
  • a downward trajectory of documented cases or of positive test results as a percent of total tests within 14 days
  • the ability to treat patients without crisis care
  • a testing program in place for healthcare workers

Throughout Phase 1, businesses that Hutchinson ordered closed have been allowed to reopen under certain requirements from the Arkansas Department of Health. On June 2, Hutchinson said the state was not ready to move into Phase 2 based on health data. On June 4, Hutchinson said that regions of the state might be allowed to progress to Phase 2 at different times. Phase 2 reopening details were not available as of June 5. On April 18, Hutchinson announced he created the Economic Recovery Task Force, consisting of 27 leaders from public agencies and the private sector, to "recommend a strategy to the Governor for our economy to shift out of low gear consistent with public-health guidance." Arkansas was one of seven states (along with Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming) that did not issue a stay-at-home order. On April 7, Hutchinson said he opposed allowing cities to issue their own orders.

Context

  • On April 4, Hutchinson issued an executive order closing certain businesses in the state. The order did not require manufacturing, construction, or places of worship to close but detailed social distancing protocols these sites needed to follow in order to remain open. On May 5, Hutchinson issued an order allowing some closed businesses to reopen on specified dates with requirements the state Department of Health issued.
  • As of June 5, Arkansas had 8,425 COVID-19 cases and 151 deaths. Arkansas' estimated population as of July 2019 was 3 million. For every 100,000 residents, the state had 279.2 cases and 5.0 deaths.
  • Arkansas is a Republican trifecta, with a Republican governor and Republican majorities in the state legislature.

Phase 1 details

April 27

  • Some nonessential outpatient procedures could resume (requirements)

May 1

  • Campgrounds open for Arkansas residents with self-contained RVs (bath houses remain closed, automated check-in/check-out)

May 4

  • Gyms and fitness centers (screening of staff and customers, maintaining/facilitating 12 feet of social distance, additional requirements here)
  • The Department of Health released requirements for places of worship, which were already allowed to remain open under certain conditions (congregants must wear masks with certain exceptions, signage must be posted at entrances, additional requirements here)

May 6

  • Hairstylists, barbershops, body artists, medical spas, massage therapy, cosmetology (by appointment only, with screening of customers and employees, additional requirements here)

May 11

  • Restaurants for dine-in services (limited to 33% capacity, tables at least 10 feet apart, employees who interact with customers must wear face masks, additional requirements here)

May 15

  • State parks opened visitor information centers, museums and exhibits, gift shops, golf pro shops, and marinas. Equipment rentals resumed. ("Staff will limit the number of visitors allowed into the visitor centers and shops, and will enforce social distancing.")

May 18

  • Large outdoor venues, such as theatres, arenas, sports venues, and race tracks (50 people or fewer in attendance, or up to 33% capacity if plan is approved by the state secretary of health, additional requirements here)
  • Large indoor venues, such as theaters, arenas, stadiums, and auction houses (50 people or fewer in attendance, or up to 33% capacity if plan is approved by the state secretary of health, additional requirements here)

May 26

  • Bars and clubs (limited to 33% seating capacity, tables spaced 10 feet apart, additional requirements here)

June 1

  • Community and school-sponsored team sports (At least 6 feet of distance between participants except when actively playing a sport, screening of athletes/coaches/staff, additional requirements here)

Guidance for individuals The Arkansas Department of Health recommends the following:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
  • Practice physical distancing. Avoid close contact with others, especially those who are sick, by keeping at least 6 feet between you and others.
  • If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 or develop a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, seek testing. Testing is available in many locations, including ADH Local Health Units.
  • Wear a cloth mask when in public and unable to maintain a 6-foot distance from others. Click here to read the CDC’s recommendations. The ADH offers this do-it-yourself cloth mask design.

The department also released guidance for high-risk individuals, available here. Arkansas Department of Health directives and guidance

For a complete list of directives and guidance the state Department of Health has issued, click here.

Coronavirus resources

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

State resources

Twitter feeds for government officials and agencies appear below.

Federal resources

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Office of the Governor of Arkansas, "EO 20-44," August 7, 2020
  2. ↑ Arkansas Democrat Gazette, "Virus OK as excuse for voting absentee in Arkansas, Hutchinson says," July 3, 2020
  3. ↑ Arkansas Democrat Gazette, "Democratic county conventions can meet remotely, state party decides," April 5, 2020
  4. ↑ Supreme Court of Arkansas, "IN RE RESPONSE TO THE COVID19 PANDEMIC," June 11, 2020
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named May11
  6. ↑ Supreme Court of Arkansas, "RE: Assessing facilities for jury trials," May 1, 2020
  7. ↑ Supreme Court of Arkansas, "District Courts-Preparations for Returning to In-Person Proceedings," May 1, 2020
  8. ↑ Supreme Court of Arkansas, "Re: Preparation for Returning to In-Person Proceedings," April 24, 2020
  9. ↑ SUPREME COURT OF ARKANSAS, "IN RE RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC," April 23, 2020
  10. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts - April 6, 2020," April 6, 2020
  11. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "NCSC Coronavirus and the Courts," March 18, 2020
  12. ↑ State of Arkansas Executive Department, "Proclamation," March 24, 2020
  13. ↑ UA Little Rock Public Radio, "Arkansas Lawmakers Conclude Coronavirus Special Session Early Saturday," March 28, 2020
  14. ↑ Million Acres, "Cities and States That Have Paused Evictions Due to COVID-19," April, 3, 2020
  15. ↑ Prison Policy Initiative, "Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic," May 14, 2020
  16. ↑ Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,"Arkansas' prisons, jails take steps to protect inmates' health," March 23, 2020
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