Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. announced Monday afternoon the city will impose a nightly curfew starting at 12 a.m. Wednesday in order to stem the spread of coronavirus.
The curfew will be from midnight to 5 a.m. Scott said the curfew does not apply to those who work overnight.
"This curfew is to further discourage unnecessary social gathering," Scott said.
Chief of Police Keith Humphrey said officers will not stop anyone in their cars traveling at those times, unless they are violating normal traffic laws.
Police will "proactively remind" those out in public between midnight and 5 a.m. of the curfew, Humphrey said.
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Scott said the curfew is mandated but when asked, he did not clarify what the penalty would be for violation.
Scott also said the city would be postponing any meeting or event with more than 50 attendees in accordance with new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control.
City buildings will be closed to the public starting Wednesday until further notice. Scott said he urges people looking to conduct business to do so via the city's online portals.
Scott also said that city employees, as permitted by their department directors, will be allowed to work remotely.
Tuesday's Little Rock Board of Directors meeting will take place at the Robinson Center, in order to ensure that city directors may sit at least 6 feet apart, per recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Scott said. The public is encouraged to watch online on cable access channel 11, littlerock.gov, or the city's YouTube channel.
Residents who would like to participate in the citizen communication portion of the meeting may send statements or questions to board@littlerock.gov or call (501) 371-4766 to reach the city's deputy clerk.
"Little Rock, this is not a time to panic at all. We are over prepared. We are taking every cautionary measure,” Scott said. “We want to take this situation seriously but not panic at all. We will get through this. This is our journey right now and we will get through this journey but we have to do so as a united Little Rock."
The mayor said he cannot mandate restaurants or bars to close but recommends eateries shift to delivery and takeout options.
"Let's continue to support our local eateries by utilizing the various takeout and delivery options that are provided," Scott said. "We are strongly urging them to move forward this way."
Read Tuesday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.