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As we approach nearly 2 months of social distancing and restrictions
on business throughout the state we are starting to see some light at
the end of the tunnel for private business owners and patrons of those
establishments. This week the Governor has issued directives for
businesses in certain fields to allow them to re-open through safe,
distancing and cleanliness practices.
Beginning May 1, Arkansas residents with self-contained RVs will be allowed to stay overnight in campgrounds. Bath houses will remain closed. Check in and check out will be automated.
On May 15, State Parks will open visitor information centers, museums and exhibits, gift shops, golf pro shops, marinas, and equipment rental. Staff will limit the number of visitors allowed into the visitor centers and shops, and will enforce social distancing.
On May 15, State Parks also will reopen to Arkansas residents cabins, lodges, and RV rental. Rentals will be limited to Friday through Monday to allow for deep cleaning between visitors.
"Arkansans love their parks, and we want to invite Arkansans back," said Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Stacy Hurst. "This proposal was reviewed and approved by Secretary of Health Nate Smith before going to the Governor for final approval. These precautions will allow Arkansans to enjoy camping while maintaining guidelines for social distancing."
Some high-use trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Devil's Den State Park, and Petit Jean State Park will remain closed.
Restaurants in Arkansas may resume limited dine-in service on May 11 under Phase 1 guidelines that require daily health screening of staff, use of face masks and gloves, and strict social distancing, Governor Hutchinson announced at his daily press briefing today.
"Based on current data that shows we have slowed the spread of COVID-19, we have decided it is safe to resume dine-in restaurant service with some common-sense limits," Governor Hutchinson said. "This is a significant but cautious step on the path back to normalcy. We will monitor the success of this step, and move to Phase 2 as quickly as we safely can."
The restrictions on dine-in service under this directive include:
Phase 1
- Restaurants must limit number of customers to one-third of total capacity.
- Tables must be ten feet apart so that diners will be seated six feet away from diners at other tables.
- Each employee who directly interacts with patrons must wear a face mask that completely covers nose and mouth. Kitchen staff and others are encouraged to wear a mask.
- Each employee must wear gloves. Gloves should be changed between each customer, customer group, or task.
- Management must conduct a daily health screening of all employees before they enter the restaurant. An employee with a cough, sore throat, fever, or shortness of breath must not enter the restaurant.
- Patrons must wear a face covering until the food or drink is served.
- Salad bars, buffets, and other self-serve features will remain closed.
- Groups must be 10 or fewer customers.
- Tables, chairs, salt/pepper shakers, condiment containers, and napkin holders will be cleaned and disinfected after each customer.
- Bars and entertainment operations (such as live music, in-seat gaming devices, or arcades) are prohibited.
- Normal service of alcohol within the restaurant seating area is allowed.
- Restrooms should be disinfected frequently.
- Service may be declined to patrons not wearing masks.
Gyms and fitness centers must meet the following criteria to resume operations on May 4:
- Screening must be completed on entry for all staff and participants. Those who have any of the following characteristics should not be allowed to enter:
- Have returned from travel to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Orleans or overseas within the last 14 days;
- Have had a fever of 100.4°F or greater in the past two days;
- Have a cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell;
- Had contact with a person known to be infected with COVID-19 within the previous 14 days;
- Have compromised immune systems and/or have chronic diseases.
- Staff should wear a face covering or mask at all times. Patrons should wear a face covering except when actively exercising.
- Prohibit the use of pools, spas, showers, saunas, etc. at this time. Locker rooms are to be used only for storage of personal items. Maintain physical distancing while in locker rooms.
- Hand sanitizer should be available throughout the facility.
- Staff should ensure that all exercise machines or equipment are sanitized after each use (via wipe-down with disposable disinfectant wipes, Lysol or the equivalent).
- Maintain proper spacing from others by working out with 12 feet between each person. This may require closing or moving some equipment.
- Avoid personal contact at all times, including hand shaking.
- Individual training sessions, indoor group fitness classes, and workouts that require a partner must maintain 12 foot spacing between each person at this time.
We have also been told Hair Salons and Barber Shops will be allowed to begin service on May 6th with 33% capacity and masks required as well as no walk in appointments.
As more information becomes available we will keep you informed.
Beginning May 1, Arkansas residents with self-contained RVs will be allowed to stay overnight in campgrounds. Bath houses will remain closed. Check in and check out will be automated.
On May 15, State Parks will open visitor information centers, museums and exhibits, gift shops, golf pro shops, marinas, and equipment rental. Staff will limit the number of visitors allowed into the visitor centers and shops, and will enforce social distancing.
On May 15, State Parks also will reopen to Arkansas residents cabins, lodges, and RV rental. Rentals will be limited to Friday through Monday to allow for deep cleaning between visitors.
"Arkansans love their parks, and we want to invite Arkansans back," said Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Stacy Hurst. "This proposal was reviewed and approved by Secretary of Health Nate Smith before going to the Governor for final approval. These precautions will allow Arkansans to enjoy camping while maintaining guidelines for social distancing."
Some high-use trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Devil's Den State Park, and Petit Jean State Park will remain closed.
Restaurants in Arkansas may resume limited dine-in service on May 11 under Phase 1 guidelines that require daily health screening of staff, use of face masks and gloves, and strict social distancing, Governor Hutchinson announced at his daily press briefing today.
"Based on current data that shows we have slowed the spread of COVID-19, we have decided it is safe to resume dine-in restaurant service with some common-sense limits," Governor Hutchinson said. "This is a significant but cautious step on the path back to normalcy. We will monitor the success of this step, and move to Phase 2 as quickly as we safely can."
The restrictions on dine-in service under this directive include:
Phase 1
- Restaurants must limit number of customers to one-third of total capacity.
- Tables must be ten feet apart so that diners will be seated six feet away from diners at other tables.
- Each employee who directly interacts with patrons must wear a face mask that completely covers nose and mouth. Kitchen staff and others are encouraged to wear a mask.
- Each employee must wear gloves. Gloves should be changed between each customer, customer group, or task.
- Management must conduct a daily health screening of all employees before they enter the restaurant. An employee with a cough, sore throat, fever, or shortness of breath must not enter the restaurant.
- Patrons must wear a face covering until the food or drink is served.
- Salad bars, buffets, and other self-serve features will remain closed.
- Groups must be 10 or fewer customers.
- Tables, chairs, salt/pepper shakers, condiment containers, and napkin holders will be cleaned and disinfected after each customer.
- Bars and entertainment operations (such as live music, in-seat gaming devices, or arcades) are prohibited.
- Normal service of alcohol within the restaurant seating area is allowed.
- Restrooms should be disinfected frequently.
- Service may be declined to patrons not wearing masks.
Gyms and fitness centers must meet the following criteria to resume operations on May 4:
- Screening must be completed on entry for all staff and participants. Those who have any of the following characteristics should not be allowed to enter:
- Have returned from travel to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Orleans or overseas within the last 14 days;
- Have had a fever of 100.4°F or greater in the past two days;
- Have a cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell;
- Had contact with a person known to be infected with COVID-19 within the previous 14 days;
- Have compromised immune systems and/or have chronic diseases.
- Staff should wear a face covering or mask at all times. Patrons should wear a face covering except when actively exercising.
- Prohibit the use of pools, spas, showers, saunas, etc. at this time. Locker rooms are to be used only for storage of personal items. Maintain physical distancing while in locker rooms.
- Hand sanitizer should be available throughout the facility.
- Staff should ensure that all exercise machines or equipment are sanitized after each use (via wipe-down with disposable disinfectant wipes, Lysol or the equivalent).
- Maintain proper spacing from others by working out with 12 feet between each person. This may require closing or moving some equipment.
- Avoid personal contact at all times, including hand shaking.
- Individual training sessions, indoor group fitness classes, and workouts that require a partner must maintain 12 foot spacing between each person at this time.
We have also been told Hair Salons and Barber Shops will be allowed to begin service on May 6th with 33% capacity and masks required as well as no walk in appointments.
As more information becomes available we will keep you informed.
Important Dates For Re-Opening Businesses
Around the State