Local public health order extended through Jan. 23

Phillips County will stay at Safer at Home Level Orange on the state’s COVID dial with a local public health order in effect.

The Nov. 23 public health order was originally set to expire at 11:59 p.m. Dec. 23 but has been extended through Jan. 23, 2021.

Chairman of the Board of Phillips County Commissioners Terry Hofmeister said the ultimate goal is to continue to reduce the COVID-19 numbers and open up the county.

“I feel very good that we could get the public health order extended,” he said, adding  that it’s important for people to be cautious and to continue to implement the recommended precautions such as masking and social distancing. “We can’t afford to lose all this that we worked so hard for.”

Hofmeister said the COVID-19 metrics will be reassessed Jan. 23.