Arkansas Expands Vaccine Eligibility to All Phase 1-B
On Monday, Gov. Hutchinson announced Arkansas was expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all of Phase 1-B, which includes those working in manufacturing facilities, public transport, grocery stores, meal delivery and postal and package delivery services.
Additional groups of people including those with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities have been moved to Phase 1-B from 1-C. In all, the expansion will include roughly 180,000 Arkansans.
The expansion is a good sign that Phase 1-C, which includes transportation and logistics workers, will occur in early April, as originally projected.
He also announced a new toll-free hotline that will assist Arkansans in making vaccine appointments. The hotline, 800-985-6030, is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Translation services are available.
For more information about the vaccination distribution plan or for information about where to get the vaccine, visit the Arkansas Department of Health website.
Congress Approves $1.9 Trillion COVID Relief Bill
President Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package was approved by Congress on Wednesday. A massive bill, it aims to provide direct relief to Americans in the form of $1,400 stimulus checks, extend jobless benefits and provide money to state and local governments.
Here are some highlights:
- Stimulus Checks - Individuals making under $75,000 and married couples making under $150,000 will receive direct payments of $1,400 per person. The bill also provides $1,400 per dependent.
- Unemployment Benefits - Extends unemployment programs, including the $300 per week federal supplement, through early September.
- State and Local Funding - $350 billion for states, local governments, territories and tribal governments; funding for schools, colleges and universities, transit agencies, housing aid, child care providers and food assistance.
- Vaccination and Testing - Funding for vaccine distribution and COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and genomic sequencing.
CDC Guidelines for Vaccinated Individuals
The first public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people was published Monday by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Guidance is targeted at individuals two or more weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
According to the CDC, fully vaccinated people can:
- Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing.
- Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing.
- Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic.
The CDC urges even those vaccinated to continue to wear masks and socially distance in large public settings and following CDC guidance related to health and travel. For more information, visit the CDC website.
COVID Bills Progress Through Arkansas Legislature
Two COVID-related bills, HB1487 and HB1488, are moving forward in the Arkansas legislature this week.
HB1487, which aims to limit business liability, will be reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday; while HB1488, which will provide workers' compensation benefits to Arkansans impacted by COVID-19, will be reviewed by the Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor on Wednesday.
Stay up to date on these bills and other relevant legislation by joining us Fridays at 10 a.m. for the Governmental Affairs Committee Calls. These 30-minute briefings throughout the General Session are designed to bring you the latest on the bills that impact trucking and business in Arkansas.
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