County officials stress precautions as area businesses begin to reopen
TEXARKANA, Ark. — Elected officials on Tuesday urged Miller County, Arkansas, residents to continue observing coronavirus-related public health guidelines as the state begins a phased plan to ramp up its economy.
Miller County Judge Cathy Hardin Harrison, Texarkana Mayor Allen Brown and Circuit Judge Carlton Jones held a news conference at the Bi-State Justice Building to inform the public about restrictions on businesses and needed precautions, among other information about local pandemic response.
Harrison appealed to reopening businesses to follow rules set by Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s office.
“I ask that you please adhere to these restrictions so that we will continue to see our local numbers decline,” she said, adding that a list of all restrictions is available on the Miller County Office of Emergency Management’s Facebook page.
Harrison encouraged citizens to continue following Arkansas Department of Health guidelines such as social distancing, wearing face coverings when possible and frequent hand-washing. She thanked the community for its cooperation so far.
“We all have a job to do, whether it is keeping the public informed, making masks for our first responders or just staying home. You did it, and you did it well. Sometimes it takes a crisis to show the strength and unity of a community,” she said.
Brown went into more specifics about the governor’s plan, highlighting important rules for each phase, and he also asked for the public’s continued cooperation. “Please understand Phase 1 is dependent on all of us adhering to the directives in hopes that we can move toward normalcy and our efforts will decrease the number of positive tests and hospital admittances across the state. …
“We cannot let up at this point. We are at a critical juncture in the overall recovery process and we must continue to cooperate with our state and state’s health department directives for a safe reopening of Arkansas,” Brown said.
Phase 1 began Monday with the reopening of gyms, fitness centers and similar facilities. Everyone must be screened
for possible infection on entry, staff should wear masks at all times and hand sanitizer must be available.
Also effective Monday, gatherings at large outdoor venues such as sports stadiums and fairgrounds are allowed with an audience of 50 or fewer people. Face coverings are required, and audience members must be seated at least 6 feet apart. Similar rules for large indoor venues such as movie theaters and convention centers take effect May 18.
On Wednesday barber shops, body art establishments, cosmetology establishments, massage therapy clinics and medical spas can open with restrictions. Customers must make appointments, and walk-ins are not allowed. Customers will be screened for COVID19 symptoms and employees must wear masks.
Restaurant dine-in service will be allowed effective May 11. Seating will be limited to 33% of capacity and there must be at least 10 feet between tables. Reservations are encouraged. Employees must wear masks at all times and customers must wear face coverings upon entry until they are served food or beverages.
A complete list of Arkansas Health Department orders and guidelines is available at www.healthy.arkansas.gov/ programs-services/topics/ novel-coronavirus.
Brown also mentioned the state’s Ready for Business Grant Program, which will provide grants of $1,000 to $100,000 to help businesses with COVID-19-related expenses. More information is available at www.arkansasedc.com/covid19.
Jones spoke about effects of the pandemic on the state court system. Jury trials and other in-person proceedings could begin again July 1, he said, though a new process for jury qualification is needed to avoid putting dozens of potential jurors close together in the same room. Precautions such as using face coverings will be in place.
The Miller County
Courthouse has been reopened to the public. Visitors are asked to use the Fourth Street entrance to the courthouse and should be prepared to have their temperatures taken before they are allowed in. The Miller County Jail, as well as the Juvenile Detention Center, remain closed to the public.
Smith Park is open in Miller County, but city parks’ playground equipment, basketball courts and pavilions remain closed. Fishing and using walking trails in city parks are allowed. Jefferson Dog Park is open.
Texarkana, Arkansas, yard-waste pickup and recycling-center operations will resume May 13, and the city Board of Directors will meet in a conference call on May 18, Brown said. Anyone interested in participating in the meeting will be provided a phone number and access code.
The Miller County OEM does not have any future coronavirus screenings scheduled, but the city is discussing future COVID-19 testing three times a week at Walmart, Brown said.