Arkansas lawmakers adjourn, leave mask mandate ban intact

Arkansas lawmakers are leaving the state’s mask mandate ban in place, ending a special session called to revisit the prohibition for schools because of the state’s COVID-19 surge

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Arkansas lawmakers on Friday left the state's mask mandate ban in place, ending a session called to revisit the prohibition for schools because of the state's COVID-19 surge. The majority-Republican Legislature adjourned the special session that GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson had called to consider rolling back the ban for some schools. Hutchinson signed the ban in April but said the change was needed to protect children under 12 who can't get vaccinated as the state's virus cases and hospitalizations skyrocket. A House panel on Thursday rejected two measures to allow some school districts to issue mask requirements. There had been growing calls to lift the ban before school starts statewide later this month. The ban is already being challenged in two lawsuits, including one from an east Arkansas school district where more than 800 students and staff have quarantined because of a COVID-19 outbreak.