Loosening restrictions

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has announced a series of steps to ease coronavirus-prevention restrictions. The steps, listed below by start date, are part of Phase 1 of his plan toward getting Arkansans back to normal activities.

April 27

Outpatient elective procedures resume.

May 1

Overnight camping by Arkansans in RVs allowed in state parks.

May 4

Fitness clubs reopen.

May 5

Overnight stays in hotels and state parks allowed for recreational trips by non-Arkansans, except for those returning from overseas or from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or New Orleans.

May 6

Hair salons, barbershops, tattoo studios, nail salons, massage parlors and medical spas reopen.

May 11

Dine-in service at restaurants resumes. Elective surgical procedures requiring expected hospital stays of up to 48 hours allowed.

May 15

State parks resume renting cabins, lodges and recreational vehicles; reopen restaurants, museums, exhibits, visitor centers, golf pro shops and marinas.

May 18

Casinos, movie theaters, auditoriums, museums, arenas, funeral homes and bowling alleys reopen. Certain non-urgent dental procedures resume.

May 22

Swimming pools, water parks, splash pads and swim beaches reopen.

May 25

Elective procedures allowed to resume with no restrictions on expected length of hospital stay.

May 26

Bars reopen.

May 31

First day that campers may arrive at overnight camps.

June 1

Individual-only practice allowed for close-contact team sports such as basketball, wrestling, football, cheerleading, etc. Competition allowed, with restrictions, for limited-contact team sports such as baseball, softball, golf, track and field, cross country, tennis, swimming, etc. No band is allowed.