LITTLE ROCK— On Thursday, Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. issued a requirement for masking in all indoor public places owned and operated by the City of Little Rock. Mask-wearing is also exhorted at other indoor places such as restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores and other venues where the public will encounter people outside of one’s individual household. This new requirement takes effect Friday, Aug. 6 and is in place until Aug. 31. Little Rock continues to be under a state of emergency through Aug. 31.

Yard waste collection is also temporarily halted as a result of the severe rise in COVID-19 cases. This pause is indefinite, and residents will be notified when this service will resume.

“As the data continue to show, Pulaski County remains in the top position among counties for new COVID-19 cases,” Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. said. “Additionally, Arkansas Children’s is treating an alarming number of youth, and our adult hospitals are full, and their staff are tired and strained. And as students return to school, many of whom cannot be vaccinated, our community centers serve our younger residents through after-school activities. We must do something now.

“Just as troubling, our Public Works department is experiencing a staff shortage due to COVID-19. I pray for a speedy recovery of each of those impacted employees and ask for residents’ patience as we deal with this matter.

“The science is clear that wearing a mask correctly can stop transmission of this highly contagious Delta variant, and we have accepted the recommendation of the Little Rock COVID-19 Task Force to issue this executive order. While I am encouraged by the increasing number of residents who are getting vaccinated, full protection takes weeks to develop after the second vaccine dose. This mask requirement will help residents protect themselves and help ease the burden on our hospitals.”