By: Tristan Hill

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UATV) — Governor Asa Hutchinson announced in his weekly press conference Tuesday that he will not seek to extend the 11 p.m. curfew in place for bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.

The order mandating the curfew is set to expire on February 3, and has been active since November of 2020.

Hutchinson indicated that the decrease in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations following the holiday season was a major factor in deciding not to extend the curfew.

“That was important to have through Christmas and New Years,” Hutchinson said.

The decision not to extend the order also comes after a lawsuit brought forth by a number of Fayetteville bars questioned the constitutionality of enforcing a curfew.

The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed by a Pulaski County Circuit Court judge.