Arkansas Department of Health

• Home
• Diseases & Conditions
• COVID-19
• COVID-19 Health Guidance

COVID-19 Health Guidance

U.S. COVID-19 Community Levels by County

NOTE: There is no quarantine requirement in effect at this time for travelers arriving in or returning to Arkansas.

General Guidance for COVID-19

Steps can be taken to protect Arkansans and their friends, family, and communities from COVID-19 infection. This guidance document lists recommended practices for individuals and organizations. These recommendations are not mandates but are guidance based upon public health best practices and available evidence.  It is best to use as many of these practices as possible to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

Here are steps you can take to protect yourself and others:

• Get the COVID-19 vaccine. Getting up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccinations is the single most effective measure to prevent serious illness from COVID-19.
• Wear a mask when recommended, based on the COVID-19 Community Level for your county. The CDC recommends that people 2 years of age or older should wear a mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status, if the county in which they live is “High.”
• Practice physical distancing. Avoid close contact with others, especially those who are sick, by keeping at least 6 feet between you and others.
• Get tested if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 or develop a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms that could be COVID-19. If you test positive, even with an at-home test, you should isolate and inform close contacts. You do not need a confirmatory test if your test is positive unless advised to do so by your medical provider.
• Stay home when you’re sick.
• Follow the quarantine guidance.
• Increase ventilation. Improving ventilation is an important COVID-19 prevention strategy that can reduce the number of virus particles in the air. Bringing fresh outdoor air into a building helps keep virus particles from concentrating inside.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
• Clean and disinfect. If someone is sick or has tested positive for COVID-19, disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Use a household disinfectant product from EPA's list of disinfectants for COVID-19 according to the manufacturer’s labeled directions.
• Take special care around people at increased risk by getting vaccinated. Some people are at increased risk for having severe disease from COVID-19, such as those aged 65 and older, those of any age with underlying medical conditions, those with immunocompromising conditions, and those who cannot be vaccinated. 
• Children who cannot be vaccinated should also take precautions. Children ages five and older are recommended to get vaccinated subject to parental consent. Parents should consult with their child’s family physician or pediatrician. Schools should follow guidance from the Arkansas Department of Education. 

COVID-19 Information​​

• For Healthcare Providers
• For Self-Home Isolation
• For Self-Home Quarantine