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AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY OF JONESBORO ARKANSAS REGARDING THE USE OF MASKS IN RELATION TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
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WHEREAS, an outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus) has resulted in an ongoing global pandemic; and
WHEREAS, On June 18, 2020, Executive Order 20-37 declared that the emergency declared pursuant to Executive Order 20-03 and its amendments was terminated and that the public health and disaster emergency and declaration of the State of Arkansas as a disaster area resulting from the state-wide impact of Covid-19 was declared anew and would be effective for sixty (60) days unless renewed; and
WHEREAS, On June 19, 2020, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), released guidance regarding the use of face masks/coverings by the general public which asserts that ample evidence exists to support the efficacy of wearing face masks to prevent the transmission of Covid-19 including a World Health Organization (WHO) funded study; and
WHEREAS, the afore-mentioned ADH guidance on masks recommends that the general public should wear face coverings in ALL indoor environments where they are exposed to non-household members and distancing of 6 feet or more cannot be assured. This includes, but is not limited to, workplaces, retail stores, businesses, places of worship, courtrooms, jails/prisons, schools, and healthcare facilities; and
WHEREAS, the afore-mentioned ADH guidance recommends that the general public should also wear face coverings in ALL outdoor settings where there is exposure to non-household members, unless there exists ample space of 6 feet or more to practice physical distancing; and
WHEREAS, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson supports and encourages the usage of facial coverings in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19; and
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has long recognized state and local control over the spread of infection diseases and gave broad leeway in responding to these threats in Jacobson v. Massachusetts, 197 U.S. 11 (19...
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