LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas is lifting most of its coronavirus safety restrictions, except for the state’s mask mandate. Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Friday announced the decision as he extended the public health emergency he declared last year because of the pandemic. Hutchinson is extending the order until the end of March. Hutchinson has faced pushback from some fellow Republicans in the Legislature over the virus safety rules. Hutchinson said he’ll end the mask mandate if the state’s positivity rate or hospitalizations are low. The rules being lifted include capacity limits for restaurant, bars, gyms and large venues.
