MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Friday, Gov. Tate Reeves announced additional safety measures on large gatherings in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Mississippi.
Reeves has signed a new executive order that extends his Safe Return order to August 3, 8:00 a.m.
“We are still in the middle of our most painful period of COVID-19 spread to date. We have to slow the spread to prevent our health care system from becoming overwhelmed,” Reeves said.
“Among US states, we’re number nine in per capita cases across the last seven days,” said State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs. “Mississippi is one of the leading cases in the country as far as coronavirus goes.”
Reeves also said state health officials have noticed a “tremendous amount of spread” in young people in the state, primarily those in their 20s.
“I’ve been talking for about a week about wanting to do something to curb the spread among young, drunk, careless folks,” Reeves said.
Reeves, whose stance and tactics regarding COVID-19 have evolved in recent weeks, explained numerous times the challenge he’s facing.
“It’s trying to weigh a strong philosophical bid against doing anything to hurt small businesses, while at the same time doing everything in our power to make sure that we slow the spread of this virus,” Reeves said.
The governor, no longer dismissing any potential action, admitted that he would employ a state-wide executive order or shut down bars completely if need be. But he remains optimistic that it won’t come to that.
“I think, and I believe, that if the folks will adhere to these rules, then it will go a long way,” Reeves said.
New safety guidelines include:
- Social gatherings are limited to 10 or less indoors and 20 or less outdoors.
- Bars can only sell alcohol to seated customers, and no alcohol can be sold at restaurants or bars after 11:00 PM until 7:00 AM. Previous social distancing measures, such as limiting to 50% capacity, updating floor plans to ensure 6 feet distance between groups, and limiting to 6 people per table, remain in effect.
Reeves also announced six additional counties have been identified as “hot-spots” for COVID-19, including Calhoun, Holmes, Lamar, Montgomery, Winston, and Yalobusha Counties.
You can read the full executive order here.
