Wheeless urges continued caution

County judge asks residents to stay aware of COVID- 19 concerns

ralphhardin@gmail.com Restrictions continue to be lifted in Arkansas and surrounding states but County Judge Woody Wheeless is urging residents to maintain a level of caution as they go about their business as the coronavirus pandemic and Governor Asa Hutchinson’s state emergency continue.

“Today, Governor Hutchinson lifted the mask mandate, effective immediately,” Wheeless said last Tuesday. “This doesn't mean that mandates at businesses or government buildings will automatically go away. Those decisions will now be left up to the business owners and government agencies across the state.”

Among places still requiring facial coverings are government facilities.

“All state employees are still required to wear masks according to the

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County Judge Woody Wheeless WHEELESS (cont.)

Governor,” Wheeless said.

“To enter your county government buildings, you will still be required to wear a mask as well as employees of the government. We want to help protect our employees as well as the general public.”

The judge also noted that the end of the mask mandate coincided with the expansion of which groups are now eligible for vaccination.

“Anyone age 16 or older can get the COVID-19 vaccine,” he said. “Vaccines are becoming more available to our community so I would encourage you to take advantage of that and contact the county health department, East Arkansas Family Health, local pharmacies or your doctor's office for more information on how to obtain the vaccine. If you need more information, please contact my office at 870-7393200.”

As it has been since the pandemic began, Wheeless’s focus has been on being a part of the solution rather than part of the problem.

“The daily numbers show we are headed in the right direction but we still have plenty of progress to make,” he said. “Please continue doing your part and together we can defeat COVID-19.”