Arkansas expands COVID comp coverage

Arkansas Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed an executive order Monday expanding workers compensation for occasional exposure to COVID-19 to first responders and health care workers.

The order suspends current provisions of Arkansas state code that bars compensation for exposure to a disease that is in the general population. First responders and front-line health care workers who test positive for COVID-19 can receive workers compensation under the order, but the order does require them to show a causal connection between their exposure and their work as required by Arkansas law.

The order will automatically expire on the day the state of emergency is terminated.