Governor ends mask mandate, vaccines open to all adults

"This is an important day to start a new part of our journey through this pandemic," said Gov. Asa Hutchinson to start his weekly COVID-19 briefing Tuesday.

He made two announcements, the lifting of the statewide mask mandate and opening of vaccinations to everyone age 16 and older.

At the start of the month, Hutchinson laid out the criteria he would use to determine if the mandate would be lifted. The criteria required the state to have a combined PCR and antigen test positivity rate below 10 percent with at least 7,500 specimens tested on average daily. If the number of specimens tested was below 7,500 daily, the decision would be based on having less than 750 patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

"By the criteria we set, it is an appropriate time to lift the statewide mask mandate," he said. It was effective Tuesday. Hutchinson clarified lifting the mandate does not mean people should stop wearing masks. He encouraged people to continue, even if they are vaccinated.

"Common sense should govern," he said.

He also emphasized the need to respect both others who make a different choice and places of business that still require masks to enter. Places that still might require masks include, restaurants, hotels, government buildings, salons and barbershops, stores, event venues, schools, the Arkansas Department of Corrections and hospitals and health care providers.

Regarding schools, Hutchinson said the policy will be up to each district.

Regarding ADC, its governing board has decided masks will continue to be required.

Hutchinson said if a place requires a mask, if the customer does not wish to wear it, they can always go to a different place.

Hutchinson said cities will be able to have their own mask ordinance if they choose.

He announced everyone over the age of 16 can get the vaccine. For assistance finding a location to get a vaccine, Hutchinson share the Vaccine Call Line, 1-800-985-6030.

Hutchinson urged patience. He said with so many more eligible, it may take time to get an appointment.

His goal is to create demand to get the maximum number of doses in to people's arms.

"We want Arkansans to get it

COVID-19 update. The update showed 103 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 bringing the cumulative confirmed total to 259,223. Active confirmed cases are down by 35 to 1,183 with 253,530 recovered.

Probable cases increased by 75 to 70,963. There were 21 less active probable cases down to 534 with 9,279 recoveries.

Confirmed deaths rose by 10 to 4,480 and probable deaths went up by five to 1,136.

Secretary of Health Dr. Jose Romero said some of those deaths are late reported deaths.

Hospitalizations went up by six to 170 with 25 on ventilators.

The state received results for 2,058 PRC tests and 1,754 antigen tests.

Hot Spring County has had 4,990 cumulative cases — 4,487 confirmed and 503 probable. Active cases are at 42 — 37 confirmed and five probable. There have been 4,878 recoveries — 4,388 confirmed and 490 probable. The county has had 70 deaths — 62 confirmed and eight probable.

Nationally, there have been 30, 378,314 cases with 550,688 deaths.

Including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, the state has received 1,662,850 total doses of the vaccine and administered 1,153,739 or 69.4 percent.

So far, 769,106 people have received one dose and 407,828 have received two. Some of those who only received one, received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which only requires one so they are fully vaccinated.

Hutchinson said the White House Coronavirus Task Force plans to send out an additional 5.4 million doses nationwide. Arkansas will get 25,000 additional doses each week for three weeks.

Even with lifting the mask mandate, Hutchinson said he wants to see the state to continue its trend toward less cases. He encourages people to continue to take all precautions.

“Get vaccinated. Don’t delay,” he said.

Secretary of Education Johnny Key discussed the mask policy for districts.

“In the state of Arkansas, we are having a successful school year,” Key said.

He said 80 percent of students attend on site.

He called masking a critical component of the plan to keep students safe.

With the end of the mandate, he said each school board will have to decide if they will continue, modify or eliminate the requirement. He encouraged board members to consider not just in the classroom, but on buses, in hallways and other activities when making their decision.

Districts will have to post their decisions no later than April 15. Public comment must be permitted so districts can modify mask plans for the summer and fall.

If a student, teacher or staff member is a close contact of someone with the virus in the school setting, whether the school has a mandatory mask policy will factor in if the person must quarantine. If there is no mandatory mask policy, they will have to quarantine. If there is, it will depend if both were masked.

Because the state is opening vaccines and getting a greater supply, Romero said they plan to hold more mass vaccination events.

He reminded people, if they chose one of the two-dose vaccine options, they must get that second dose.

“You need that second dose to become fully immunized,” he said.

He said the trend nationally, and surrounding states, is an increase in cases. He feels people need to continue following guidelines to keep the same from happening in Arkansas.

“Please wear your mask,” he said.

Hutchinson was grateful for the Arkansas Legislature choosing to continue the state of emergency.

Hutchinson and Romero discussed the variants found in the state. There have been one UK variant and two separate California variants. They account for 17 cases.

In answer to a question, Hutchinson said he is listening and studying the SAFE act before deciding if he will sign it.

He was also asked with all the legislation regarding people who are transgender he has signed, plus the SAFE act, what he wants those who are transgender to know.

“They should know we want them to have the counseling and treatment they need,” Hutchinson said.

Regarding the medical conscience bill, he said that does not involve emergencies and he does not expect it will be used very much.

“It does not allow discrimination based on the class of person,” he said.