LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Governor Asa Hutchinson announced that restaurants will be allowed to reopen for limited dine-in on May 11.
The limitations include no groups over 10 people, daily staff screenings, staff must wear gloves and face masks and social distancing must be followed.
Only 33% of a restaurant's occupancy will be allowed at this time.
Bars and entertainment within restaurants are still prohibited.
Governor Hutchinson says the rules on alcohol for carry-out service will remain in place.
Dr. Nate Smith says while bars will not be open inside restaurants in phase one, alcohol can be served at a table.
"They’re going to need to go through a deep cleaning process they’re going to need thermometers to scan their employees to go through all the things to make sure that they’re meeting the health guidelines that have been set forth,” said Secretary Mike Preston
The Governor says that restaurants can deny service if a customer does not follow the restrictions put forth by the state.
“That’s where we need to start at this particular time as we keep the trend line successful then we can go into phase 2 that list the occupancy rate to 67% and then as we're successful we can go to full occupancy but you got to start somewhere,” Governor Hutchinson said.
Phase two includes increasing capacity while still maintaining social distance. Phase three would allow restaurants to return to normal operations.
In an effort to help Arkansas businesses as they prepare to transition back towards normal operating capacity, the $15 million Ready for Business Grant Program is designed to provide grants from $1,000 to $100,000, depending on the number of employees, to assist with COVID-19-related expenses. Eligible expenditures must be made between March 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020.
The purpose of the Ready for Business Grant Program is to assist companies in protecting their employees and visitors while establishing customer confidence.
The grants will be administered by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received.
The announcement comes after the number of COVID-19 deaths in the state increases by seven, totaling 59 so far.
As of April 29, there are 3,192 COVID-19 cases in Arkansas and 93 hospitalizations (down 11).
Dr. Nate Smith says there are 1,884 active cases, 18 on ventilators, two less than yesterday and 1,249 recoveries, an increase of 103.
Dr. Smith says 340 health care workers infected; 219 nursing home residents and 128 staff are positive. 11 from Cummins are hospitalized, three are on ventilators.
