Gov: Restaurants can re-open “limited” dine-in eating in May

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KAIT) - Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Dr. Nate Smith, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, announced Wednesday that over 3,000 people have tested positive and 59 deaths of COVID-19.

Gov. Hutchinson also announced that on May 11, restaurants can reopen “limited” dine-in eating as long as social distancing and health precautions are enforced. Hutchinson also said that restaurants can only have 33% of their maximum occupancy.

@AsaHutchinson says restaurants can open for limited dine-in service beginning May 11 pic.twitter.com/guBXYZrBMe
— Region 8 News (@Region8News) April 29, 2020

Dr. Nate Smith: restaurant workers will need PPE (cloth face masks and gloves). Other types of masks (paper surgical masks) okay. Do NOT need N95 masks.
— Region 8 News (@Region8News) April 29, 2020

Dr. Nate Smith: Concerning gloves-they're good/important but still need to wash your hands. Need to change gloves between customers.
— Region 8 News (@Region8News) April 29, 2020

Patio seating and alcohol sales will be allowed during Phase 1 of restaurants opening. However, bars will not be open, even those in restaurants. @AsaHutchinson
— Region 8 News (@Region8News) April 29, 2020

If Phase 1 is successful, Hutchinson said that restaurants might be able to expand to 66% of their maximum occupancy, and the Phase 3 would be 100%.

Hutchinson said they would announce when restaurants could move forward.

"Success brings success" @AsaHutchinson says. If the first phase is successful, restaurants will be able to move on to more normal operations. pic.twitter.com/vywjfxEhhS
— Region 8 News (@Region8News) April 29, 2020

As of 10:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, officials said 3,207 people have tested positive for COVID-19, with 1,279 people who have recovered.

Hutchinson also announced a new initiative to instill consumer confidence when the state begins to reopen.

“Arkansas Ready for Business” is a grant program to offset expenses associated with ensuring the health & safety of employees and customers.

A total of $15 million is available in the program to assist companies in the re-start phase. The money will help with PPE, hand sanitizing stations, etc.

Companies are eligible for up to $100,000 in total.

@AsaHutchinson announces "Arkansas Ready for Business" $15 million grant program to help businesses. pic.twitter.com/xphs5J2DhI
— Region 8 News (@Region8News) April 29, 2020

Dr. Nate Smith @ADHPIO secy:
*1,084 active cases
*Montgomery County added
*93 hospitalized
*18 on vents
*59 deaths (about 1/3 nursing home deaths)
*1,249 recoveries
*340 healthcare workers infected
*219 nursing home residents/
128 nursing home staff
— Region 8 News (@Region8News) April 29, 2020

Dr. Nate Smith regarding nursing home deaths rising: Aggressively testing; patients who have gotten sick and died were diagnosed "some time ago." Says many of the nursing home/hospice residents are "very vulnerable" to #COVID19
— Region 8 News (@Region8News) April 29, 2020

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