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Effective April 1, 2021: Governor Hutchinson has lifted the statewide mask mandate: Business and organizations may still require masks to be worn.
Below is a list of FAQ's to help you business navigate the lifting of the mask mandate
Mask FAQ'sIf your business or organization continues to require mask wearing, you may use the posters below to help with your communication efforts
Masks Required Poster _English
Mask Required Poster_SpanishEffective March 30, 2021: All Arkansans age 16 and over are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The statewide hotline number to identify vaccine locations is 1-800-985-6030
VaccinateArkansas.com provides employers with the tools they need to successfully navigate the
COVID-19 vaccination process and confidently prepare their employees to return safely to the workplace.COVID-19 Vaccination Information
- What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws
- Arkansas Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccination Plan
Coronavirus Response & Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act December 20, 2020
Statewide mask mandate executive order 20-43.
Arkansas Department of Health Covid-19 Case Tracker and Update
Resources for Businesses
Federal Resources
- Click here to learn what the Families First Response Act means for your business.
- Guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor for the Families First Act: 3/25/2020
- Click here to download the Employee Rights poster for the Families First Response Act. It is recommended that this posted be placed in your business with other employment posters.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Information
- The SBA will be hosting weekly webinars for small businesses. Click here to register.
- U.S. SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus here. You may contact the SBA's Arkansas office by calling 501-324-7379.
- SBA Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources here.
As of March 20th, SBA has approved Disaster Delcaration #16372 Arkansas Disaster number AR-00109 as a statewide declaration for small business affected by COVID19. Effective date 1/31/2020.
The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) is offering free webinars for businesses
Click here for a full schedule of upcoming webinars.Other federal resources
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce - Combating the Coronavirus here.
- U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division – FLSA and FLMA Guidance here.
- U.S. EEOC Guidance here.
- OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 here.
- U.S. Department of Labor - Coronavirus Resources here.
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers here.
- Coronavirus in the Workplace: Health, Safety and Insurance Considerations here.
- An Employer’s Guide: Ten Considerations to Support Your Workforce here.
- COVID-19 and Paid Leave: Three Scenarios to Plan For here.
- The Workers Compensation Impacts of 2019 Coronavirus here.
State Resources
- State Chamber Coronavirus Resource Page
- Department of Health Guidance for Employers
- Department of Health real-time tracker of the spread of COVID-19 in Arkansas
- Shared Work Unemployment Compensation Program
- Provides an alternative for employers faced with a reduction in their workforce
- Allows an employer to divide available work or hours of work among a specific group(s) of employees in lieu of a layoff
- Allows the employees to receive a portion of their unemployment benefits while working reduced hours
United Way of Fort Smith Area implements a 2-1-1 call center to assist with:
- free and confidential cirsis and emergency counseling
- disaster assistance
- food
- health care and insurance assistance
- stable housing and utilities payment assistance
- employment services
- veteran services
- childcare and family services
FAQs Prepare Your Home and Children, document from United Way of Fort Smith Area
Western Arkansas Works will assist with:
- filing with unemployment insurance
- finding employment
- assisting employers with a temporary layoff
Resources for Employees
Unemployment Insurance
If you become separated from employment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may file an unemployment insurance claim through the Arkansas Division of workforce Services (DWS).
- Click here for the updated Arkansas Unemployment web site effective 4/16/2020
- To file your claim online, visit the DWS EZARC page: ezarc.adws.arkansas.gov
- Click here to download the list of Workforce Center locations
- EZARC is available Monday-Friday: 6:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Workforce Centers are open Monday - Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm
- For more information, visit the DWS website: dws.arkansas.gov/unemployment
Common Questions about unemployment insurance:
- Common questions and answers for workers
- Common question and answers for employers
- Notice to individuals inquiring about the availability of unemployment insurance benefits
How to contact your local office representative:
- Phone: 1-855-225-4440
- Email: ADWS.info@arkansas.gov
From the Governor's Office:
If you would like to subscribe to the Governor's YouTube channel to follow his press conferences, click here.