TESTING EVENTS planned in Northwest Arkansas.

LITTLE ROCK — Masks or other face coverings are now required in public spaces in Little Rock where 6 feet of social distancing cannot be maintained, according to an executive order signed Thursday by Mayor Frank Scott Jr.

The order, issued at 5 p.m., cites the surging number of new cases of the deadly coronavirus in Arkansas and notes studies and recommendations from experts that point to mask-wearing as a way to stem the spread of the respiratory infection, which is typically transmitted through droplets from coughing, sneezing or talking.

Scott said on social media Thursday evening he signed the order in the best interest of the city’s public health and economy.

“We do feel it necessary to have public restrictions as we are traversing around and we cannot keep social distance between one another,” he said.

The order states the public, except for specifically stated exemptions, are “exhorted” to wear face coverings when inside of or in line to enter any business; at the entrance to and inside elevators in all public and private buildings; engaged in essential infrastructure work; waiting, riding or driving public transportation, including buses, taxis, private car services and ride-sharing vehicles.

All businesses as well as entities engaged in essential infrastructure work or essential government functions except health care, which is subject to its own regulations, are to require their employees, contractors, owners and volunteers to wear face coverings when interacting with the public, working in any space visited by members of the public and in any room or enclosed area where others are present.

Businesses and organizations also are directed to take “reasonable measures,” such as posting signs to remind people of the requirement, and to take reasonable steps to prohibit anyone not wearing a face covering from entering — and not serve them if they still refuse to cover up.

The order exempts children 12 and younger, though it still strongly recommends children older than 2 wear face coverings.

Individuals who have medical or workplace-related risks related to mask-wearing are also exempt.

The order includes language that nothing in the declaration shall be used to regulate or interfere with commerce.

An executive order issued by Gov. Asa Hutchinson on March 11 state the state has sole authority over all restrictions on commerce.

Little Rock followed Fayetteville in requiring masks in public. On June 16, Fayetteville’ City Council approved an ordinance requiring members of the public to wear masks in most indoor public places.

City Attorney Tom Carpenter said he hadn’t yet read the order Thursday because he had been out sick for the past few days, though he recommended language to ensure the order wouldn’t override the state’s executive order.

He said he felt the language “would give the city the strongest possible argument.”

The order was drafted by Carpenter’s staff at the direction of the mayor’s office.

Hutchinson has declined to issue a statewide order on face coverings.

“I think we’ve lost our sense of balance if that’s really the essence of the debate as to whether it should be mandated or whether it’s something that should be encouraged and we educate people on,” Hutchinson said during Thursday’s daily news conference. “The most important thing is increasing the number of people who take personal responsibility.”

The governor said there is a growing acceptance and understanding of why masks are needed, but acknowledged it is a challenge for restaurateurs to enforce mask wearing among staff and guests, which is a state directive.

“I’m getting calls all the time saying ‘so and so’s not doing it,’” he said.

Hutchinson also said mandating mask-wearing could lead to backlash.

“Whenever a low percent of the public decides not to wear masks, or they might wear a mask, but if you start penalizing it and making it mandatory, then there’s resistance about that,” Hutchinson said. “It throws the whole thing in shambles and loses credibility.”

A spokeswoman for the governor said Thursday night that Hutchinson would review the order and respond during today’s covid-19 news briefing.

“We do feel it necessary to have public restrictions as we are traversing around and we cannot keep social distance between one another.” — Mayor Frank Scott Jr