Gov. Asa Hutchinson issued an executive order on Friday establishing a model ordinance for cities that want to require the use of masks in public places.
However, the order doesn't allow cities to create a penalty for not wearing a mask but says law enforcement and other officials in cities that adopt a requirement can "educate and encourage members of the public who decline to wear face coverings about the efficacy of wearing such coverings, in particular [state Department of Health] guidance on face coverings released on June 19, 2020."
That Health Department guidance document says people should wear masks in all indoor environments where they aren't sure they will be able to stay at least 6 feet from people who aren't in their household.
It also recommends mask use in outdoor settings unless there is ample space to stay 6 feet away from other people.
Police in cities that adopt a mask ordinance can also assist businesses that want to require masks on their premises, according to Hutchinson's order.
"Let me emphasize that this is a local option," Hutchinson said. "No one's mandated to [adopt a requirement].
"It's an option for cities to give them more flexibility if they have a community in which they might have a surge in cases."
Hutchinson made the announcement as the state's count of coronavirus cases rose by 547, to 22,622.
The state's death toll from the virus, as tracked by the Health Department, rose by two, to 281.
The number of Arkansans hospitalized with covid-19 rose by 13, to 285. Seventy of the hospitalized patients were on ventilators, up from 69 a day earlier.
Hutchinson earlier had discouraged cities from adopting mask requirements, saying he didn't want a "hodgepodge" of different rules around the state.
He has also said Arkansans wouldn't support a statewide requirement to wear a mask in all public places.
On Friday, however, he released results from a poll showing that 82% of likely voters already wear a mask in public.
And he said having a model ordinance alleviates his concern about having different rules in different cities.
EARLIER
Gov. Asa Hutchinson and health officials will provide an update at 1:30 p.m. on the state response to covid-19.
Watch live below.
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