Monday, March 16th, 2020

New, stricter guidelines were issued today by the White House coronavirus task force to slow the spread of the disease, including that states with evidence of community transmission should close restaurants, bars, and other indoor, outdoor venues where groups of people congregate. These guidelines call on Americans to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people, avoid eating, drinking in restaurants, bars, public food courts, as well as encouraging schooling from home.
National Institute of Allergy and Infections Disease Director Anthony Fauici stated it is important to be aggressive but noted the new guidelines only apply to the next 15 days to slow the virus spread.

Arkansas Status Update as of March 16, 2020
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Arkansas – 22