Arkansas to Require Face Masks to Combat Coronavirus Surge

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has issued an order requiring people to wear masks in public throughout the state, which is dealing with a surge in coronavirus cases.

The Republican governor issued the order Thursday after weeks of resisting such a requirement.

His decision, which takes effect Monday, follows growing support from business and health leaders and comes a day after Bentonville-based Walmart said it would require customers to wear masks in all of its U.S. stores.

Hutchinson had resisted calls for a mask mandate but allowed cities to require them.

COVID-19 cases have surged in Arkansas since the state aggressively began lifting restrictions in May to reopen its economy.