Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson on Thursday resisted issuing a broad stay-at-home order to curb the coronavirus outbreak, even as the state’s cases increased and a second lawmaker tested positive for the virus.
Arkansas has imposed other sweeping restrictions, including a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people and prohibiting sit-down service at bars and restaurants. The state has also closed gyms, barbershops and casinos. Similar restrictions had commonly been in place in states that have issued stay-at-home orders.
Hutchinson said a stay-at-home order would still allow hundreds of thousands to leave their homes if Arkansas included exemptions other states with such restrictions have granted. He cited employees at clothing stores that have stayed open or are providing online sales as ones who could be put out of work by a broader order.
Local governments have implemented other restrictions but have said only the state can impose a stay at home order. Little Rock and at least two other cities are enforcing nighttime curfews in response to the outbreak.