Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Saturday issued an executive order directing the state's travel industry, including hotels, motels and vacation rentals, to deny occupancy to out-of-state recreational travelers.
Hutchinson, pointing to a television monitor during his daily COVID-19 crisis news conference in Little Rock, read a list of authorized occupancies that included health care workers, first responders and persons in need of shelter due to domestic violence or homelessness, then specifically noted what is not permitted is "recreational travelers from out of state."
"That's what it is directed to," Hutchinson said." ... That's been a challenge for us, as we have seen people leave New Orleans, or they go from another hot spot, they see the opportunity to come to Arkansas to be here, whether they go to a park or other recreational purposes, that's what we don't want to have happen, and this is a measure to restrict that, and we believe that it will have some significant effect out there in reducing the travel that we've already discouraged."
The governor's announcement comes the day after Arkansas State Parks temporarily closed all facilities, including day-use areas, at Lake Ouachita State Park to the public following a report that three people who camped there in late March tested positive for COVID-19.
"Every day, we review guidance from state and federal health experts and evaluate additional steps we can take to protect Arkansans from the spread of COVID-19," Hutchinson said in a news release following the press briefing.
"I am grateful that Arkansans have taken extraordinary efforts to practice social distancing and flatten the curve. It is my hope that these new measures will provide further protection for Arkansans as we prepare for the peak number of COVID-19 cases in our state," he said.
Hutchinson directed that commercial lodgings and short-term rentals, including, hotels, motels, and vacation rentals, only permit occupancy for the following "authorized guests":
• Health care professionals.
• First responders.
• Law enforcement.
• State or federal employees on official business.
• National Guard members on active duty.
• Airline crew members.
• Patients of hospitals and their families.
• Journalists.
• Persons unable to return to their home due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
• Arkansas citizens unable to return to their home due to exigent circumstances, such as fire, flood, tornado, or other disaster.
• Persons in need of shelter due to domestic violence or homelessness.
• Employees of hotels, motels, or other service providers/contractors of a hotel or motel.
• Persons away from their home due to work or work-related travel.
Local on 04/05/2020