Effective July 20, 2020:
Governor Asa Hutchinson has issued a statewide mask mandate for all persons over the age of 10 when a distance of six feet or more cannot be maintained. Click here for details.
June 15, 2020
The Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (LRCVB) operates the following public facilities: Statehouse Convention Center, Robinson Center, First Security Amphitheater, Ottenheimer Market Hall, and multiple downtown parking facilities. The health and wellbeing of our guests and patrons is of the utmost importance to LRCVB.
Providing a safe environment for our clients, visitors, attendees and staff is our top priority. Our team is committed to upholding the highest standards of cleanliness throughout our facilities. Considering the dramatic changes to public health guidance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have updated or enhanced many of our cleaning and safety protocols to help ensure the safety and security of everyone who walks through our doors. We will adjust these protocols as new information and local guidelines become available and as we continue preparing to reopen for meetings and events.
Phase II Guidelines, Effective June 15, 2020
The Secretary of Health, in consultation with the Governor, has sole authority over all instances of quarantine, isolation, and restrictions on commerce and travel throughout Arkansas, as necessary and appropriate to control disease in the state of Arkansas as authorized by Ark. Code Ann. §20-7-109--110. Based on available scientific evidence, it is necessary and appropriate to take further action to ensure that COVID-19 remains controlled and that residents and visitors in Arkansas remain safe.
This directive covers indoor venues for commercial, community, or civic events and activities where an audience, spectators, or a gathering of people are present, such as at concerts, weddings, plays, movies, lectures, presentations, conferences, conventions, sporting events, races, fundraisers, trade shows, and festivals. This revision for phase 2 increases the capacity allowed in the venue, as long as physical distancing of 6 feet can be achieved.
Examples of such venues include auditoriums, lecture halls, movie theaters, other theaters, museums, arenas, sports venues, race tracks, stadiums, gymnasiums, auction houses, amusement centers, barns, exhibit halls, convention centers, and funeral homes. Examples also include recreational facilities, such as bowling alleys and trampoline parks.
Gatherings subject to this directive also include, without limitation, community, civic, public, leisure, commercial, or sporting events.
This directive is not intended to address the following, which are addressed under separate directives or guidance:
The following requirements must be observed:
Cleaning Products and Protocols. The facility, including seating, shall be cleaned and disinfected before and after each use. Utilize only cleaning products and protocols which meet EPA guidelines and are approved for use and effective against viruses, bacteria and other airborne and bloodborne pathogens.
Frequent Contact Surfaces: All frequent contact surfaces shall be cleaned and disinfected on a frequent basis during event hours and following all events. Frequent contact surfaces including, but not limited to, front desk check-in/ticket counters, public water fountains, door handles, public bathrooms, ATMs, stair and escalator handrails, concession counters, elevator call buttons, and common area tables and seating. Employees shall sanitize these areas at least once per hour when events are taking place at the facility.
Restrooms: Frequent and thoroughly disinfected during event hours. Restrooms feature touch-free soap dispensers, sink faucets, toilet fixtures, urinal fixtures, and paper-towel dispensers. The touch-free designs reduce cross-contamination and encourage better hygiene.
Meeting/Event Space: Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting conference room doors, tables, chairs, light switches, registration desks and other equipment after each group use.
Elevators and Escalators: Elevator buttons will be sanitized at least once per hour and no more than 2 guests at a time will be allowed in the elevators. Escalators handrails will be sanitized at least once per hour.
Entry Protocols. Signage shall be posted outside all entry points notifying guests of all distancing requirements and any other modified policies. Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout each facility in public areas, and at each building entrance. The touch-free stations dispense an alcohol-based disinfectant that meets all CDC recommendations.
Signage. Print and digital signage in public areas, including restrooms, will remind guests of important hygiene measures and physical distancing. Additional signage with information that includes communicating COVID-19 symptoms, guidance to local public health resources in case testing or treatment is needed; materials describing good health practices to protect themselves and others; communications encouraging others to stay home if they are sick and stay home until they are well, and information outlining all First Aid locations shall be placed at each facility entrance.
Temperature Screening at Entry: All LRCVB employees will be screened for body temperature upon entry each day/shift. Temperature shall only be taken at the beginning of each shift and is not necessary if an employee leaves the premises during their shift at a later time. Any temperature checks that indicate an above normal temperature (100.4°F) may be given the opportunity to step aside and be re-scanned after two to three minutes. If an individual’s temperature registers at or above 100.4°F both times, they will be placed on STD or PTO and asked to return home. HR will be notified immediately by the person assigned to taking temperatures. The employee should be temperature free for a minimum of 72 hours before returning to work.
Screenings at LRCVB managed facilities: There will be a non-touch digital thermometer placed at all designated time-clock locations within each of the managed facilities, including parking decks. All managers and directors will be responsible for screening each of their assigned employees prior to each shift and maintain a daily log.
Protocol for Event Setups. Seating capacities and floor plans will be reviewed on an event by event basis to ensure appropriate physical distancing that follows local guidelines (in coordination with Catering & Banquets). Signage shall be posted outside of meetings and events reminding guests of appropriate physical distancing guidelines.
Engineering. Control and optimize fresh air flow and building pressurization through HVAC enhanced filtration systems. This will offer the cleanest internal air possible and positive pressurization throughout the facilities.
Catering & Banquets. All shared equipment to be sanitized before and after each use or be single use if not able to be sanitized. All linen, including underlays, to be replaced after each use. All buffet and self-serve style events to be suspended until further notice. All food and beverage items to be individually plated and served. Coffee and other break items to be attended and served by a server until further notice. Flatware to be provided as a roll-up. Condiments to be served in individual packaging or sanitized individual containers. Seating capacities and floor plans to be reviewed on an event by event basis to ensure appropriate physical distancing that follows local guidelines. Bulk water will no longer be available in meeting rooms. Bottled water and any additional water service needs can be provided through the Marriot or Doubletree Hotel, our exclusive caterers.
Security. A clear bag policy shall be implemented until further notice. New protocols for magnetometers shall be implement; example: patrons without a clear bag shall hold keys and cellphones overhead as they walk through.
Ticketing. Tickets shall be scanned immediately following each security check point to eliminate lines at each performance hall entrance.
Hearing Impaired System at the Robinson Performance Hall. Will not be available for use during the initial phase and/or patrons must provide their own earphones in order to use the device.
Employees are vital for an effective sanitation and health program.
Arkansas Department of Health
They can be reached at (800) 803-7847. Also, regular updates can be found here:
www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/novel-coronavirus
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Regular updates can be found at: