Police say they will encourage mask use

The Hot Springs Police Department said Monday it will uphold the facial covering mandate put into place by Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s executive order last week, seeking compliance through “education and by setting the example to our community.”

“Our goal is to educate and achieve compliance,” Hot Springs Police Chief Chris Chapmond said Monday. “The executive order gives us the authority to issue citations if necessary. We hope the public complies with the governor’s order and protects themselves and those around them.”

The mandate went into effect on Monday. Garland County Sheriff Mike McCormick said Saturday his department will not issue citations for violations of the executive order mandating that masks or facial coverings be worn in public to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Violation of a directive from the Secretary of Health during this public health emergency is a misdemeanor offense and is punishable by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500, the directive notes.

“The Hot Springs Police Department will uphold the face covering requirement as per the executive order. Our role is to have compliance through education and by setting the example

to our community,” Hot Springs police Cpl. Joey Williams, the department’s public information officer, said Monday.

Also Monday, Visit Hot Springs sent out the latest edition of its Resort Talk newsletter, focusing on the mandate to help businesses understand what it means.

“Let’s continue to protect our community as well as our visitors as much as possible,” it said.

“Based on available scientific evidence, it is necessary and appropriate to take further action to ensure that COVID-19 remains controlled and that residents and visitors in Arkansas remain safe,” the newsletter said. “The Secretary of Health requires every person in Arkansas to wear a face covering completely over the mouth and nose in all indoor environments, excluding private residences, where they are exposed to non-household members and distancing of 6 feet or more cannot be assured and in all outdoor settings, excluding private residences, where there is exposure to non-household members, unless there exists ample space of 6 feet or more to practice physical distancing.”

The newsletter listed the following exemptions found in the executive order:

• People younger than 10 years of age.

• People with a medical condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering.

• People performing job duties where a 6 feet distance is not achievable, but a mask is inhibitory to the ability to safely and effectively perform the job duty.

• People participating in athletic activities where a 6 feet distance is not achievable, but a mask is inhibitory to the activity or active exercise.

• People consuming food or drink.

• People driving alone or with passengers from the driver’s household.

• People receiving services that require access to the face for security, surveillance or other purposes may temporarily remove a face covering while receiving those services.

• People voting, assisting voters, serving as poll watchers or actively performing election administration duties; however, face coverings are strongly encouraged.

• People engaged in religious worship activities; however, face coverings are strongly encouraged.

• People giving a speech or performance for broadcast or to an audience; however, those persons shall safely distance from nearby individuals.

• People in counties where the Department of Health has certified that risk of community transmission of COVID-19 is low. To be considered low risk, the county must not have a newly identified case of COVID-19 for 28 consecutive days, assuming there has been adequate testing in the county.

In an effort to aid with compliance of the order by businesses, the Arkansas State Chamber and Associated Industries of Arkansas has developed downloadable signage they can post.

It says, “Protect yourself, your family, your job. Wear a mask. Masks are mandatory for the entry of this business. Required in Arkansas by Governor’s Executive Order 20-43.”